‘Springboard to inclusion": Kunstbaan decorates MLS company with unique art

VZW Kunstbaan creates art pieces for companies together with adults with a mental disability. The MLS company from Menen received three enthusiastic creative people from ‘Het Minnehuis’ a few weeks ago. Their art was unveiled.

"Kunstbaan connects the corporate and social sectors through art. Since 2016, we have been creating corporate art with adults with intellectual disabilities. Through its projects, Kunstbaan opens up a new world for them and makes corporate social responsibility tangible in companies", says initiator and supervisor of the project, Laura Van Wingen.

The company MLS welcomed these three driven artists with open arms. MLS stands for ‘Medical Laboratory Service’ and was founded in 1986. The company specialises in wholesale of pharmaceuticals and disposable lab equipment. "It was a project that immediately spoke to us. When I heard about it through our neighbouring company Decospan, I wanted to jump on this ‘art cart’ immediately. It is very nice what this care centre and KunstBaan can bring about for these people through us. The link between the medical world and the care sector is perfectly in order here. It gives me a warm feeling that MLS can contribute to this beautiful initiative", says Wilmer Verniers of MLS.

Eight working days in December 2023, Fien Dedeurwaerder, Dylan Laleman and Kimberley Vantomme were ‘housed’ in the company under Laura's supervision to let their creative ideas run wild. "On the first project day, the team was guided through and met the employees of MLS who were very curious about the results and came to take a look from time to time. MLS provided a temporary pop-up studio for KunstBaan in the technical area next to the warehouse", says Laura. The artworks start from the company's living environment, or are constructed from typical materials and products. "With lab glass work, a seven-metre-long skyline was built by our artists. In addition, a 3D wall painting gives a view of the world behind the microscope and, finally, a beautiful sculpture in the form of a DNA helix was worked on. The last one will now welcome visitors at the entrance. The other artworks are presented in the offices and conference room", Laura explains.

The three works of art were officially inaugurated in the presence of the family, friends of the creatives as well as some employees of MLS. "Every company looks forward to a nice workplace for its employees and of course art is an important part of that. If you can then link this as a company with a local, social commitment and at the same time highlight your own materials in an artistic way, it's a win-win for all parties involved", Wilmer says. By offering adults with intellectual disabilities a form of creative day care in the workplace, the non-profit organisation KunstBaan turns art into a springboard for social inclusion of this target group in the corporate world.

Laura went to ‘Het Minnehuis’ in Wervik to find three inspired people who are creative for the project. "We are an artistic and creative day centre for adults with disabilities. We are always trying to get the creative out of our people. This project immediately got our enthusiasm. It is definitely a great added value and thanks again to Laura for this unique collaboration", concludes coach Ellen Desender of Het Minnehuis.

By Nicolas Verhaeghe