At the HDS Foundation, we support public high school students with Autism and related abilities across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties through our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program. Much like a painting that brings new perspective and possibility to life, our program opens doors for students by providing meaningful, real-world experiences. These opportunities help them build practical life skills and the confidence needed to navigate life after high school.

Through each experience, we are not only expanding what students can achieve—we are reinforcing our mission: to empower individuals with Autism and related abilities by providing resources, fostering independence, and creating pathways to education, employment, and housing through collaborative programs and partnerships.

Your bid directly supports these opportunities helping students build confidence, develop life skills, and gain greater independence.

When the Sun Rises

Measuring 24” x 48” This painting represents the start of a new day and the opportunities it brings.

Artist Statement

Influenced by post-impressionism, the subject matter of my work is translated through a range of values and texture, creating a drama between abstraction and realism, where the focus of attention is on the sense of movement created by heavy palette knife strokes. This technique gives me freedom of movement. I see beyond the details and concentrate completely on shapes, color, and values.

About the Artist

Patricia Beltran, originally from Minas Gerais, Brazil, began her artistic career in fabric painting before discovering her passion for oil and acrylic on canvas. Over time, she developed a distinctive, bold style using palette knives to create expressive, textured work. Now based in Weston, Florida, she runs her own studio, creating original pieces and commissioned works for residential and commercial clients worldwide, while also teaching art workshops. An active participant in exhibitions and art events both in the U.S. and internationally, Patricia has received numerous recognitions, including a nomination for the 2019 Focus Brazil Arts Award and the Denis Diderot Artist-in-Residence Grant in France. Her work is held in private and permanent collections across the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and beyond, and is featured in her published book Beauty of Texture – Sculpting with Paint.

A Canvas of Hope: Art Opening Doors for Students with Autism

Supporting high school students with Autism and related abilities as they transition to their post secondary journey.