[J Student Reporters] Autistic Artist and Activist

Teen artist, Dani Bowman, has not let autism hold her back.

Andrew Y. Kim
<11. La Canada High>

In many respects junior Dani Bowman 17 is like any other student from La Canada High School. But two things separate her from the majority: a professional animation career and autism. One out of 88 Americans suffer from autism according to a study by the CDC in 2008. It can be alienating to its sufferers.

"Many autistic people feel bad that normal people leave them alone and this makes them feel lonely" stated Bowman. "It's not our fault."

But despite the personal and social difficulties that those with autism often face Bowman has experienced success not only as an animator but also as an activist for the autistic community.

At age 11 Bowman started her own animation studio Powerlight Studios where she voice acted wrote and animated cartoon series. She since has created nine original series including "Fleen the Alien" and "Hydro the Mako." Since its humble beginnings Bowman's company has continued to grow; she has hired three autistic employees as part of an effort to give jobs to other autistic people.

At age 14 Bowman began her professional career by creating a music video for "The Cave" a song by the band Arrest My Sister whose lead member is autistic. She has also created short films and an animated vegan cooking show available on iTunes. Bowman has also illustrated two published books "Danny and Goliath" and "Richie and Goliath" that promote anti-bullying.

Bowman also spends part of her time as an animation instructor for Inclusion Films which instructs practical and employable skills to autistic individuals. In the summer of 2011 Bowman taught animation at Inclusion Films' summer camp program for autistic children. This fall Bowman is continuing her work with her summer camp students by mentoring several of them in developing their own film projects. Through her body of work Bowman has advocated autistic awareness and anti-bullying a concern Bowman states as being "a big problem for the autistic community."

"I want people to bring peace to autistics" Bowman commented.

Her efforts were recognized on April 20 when Bowman received the Golden Goody the highest honor of the Goody Awards an awards organization that recognizes social activism. Besides the Golden Goody Bowman has also won the Naturally Autistic Awards and has placed second in the 2011-2012 Parent-Teacher-Student Association reflections contest in the Film and Animation category.

"Autism does not halt me from expanding my universe" Bowman stated. "Because I'm autistic I have been surrounded by static which makes it hard to make friends and be social but I work hard to find the way out of the ominous jungle to find the sunlight. Who am I? I'm the visual thinker Dani Bowman the diva of my imaginary world that I want to share with you."