Benjamin Lachapelle
Benjamin Lachapelle calls himself an "Animal Knower." Diagnosed with classical autism at age 3, he is an emerging artist and published author-illustrator of numerous children's books.
Ben is passionate about all animals and has been since he was a young child. He draws, paints, sculpts, illustrates, and writes stories about animals from his unique perspective. Through his art, Ben has found a way to express himself and engage with the world around him. His work has been commissioned by McGill University, Inspirations Newspaper, English Montreal School Board, Fondation Autisme de Laurentides, 4Korners and many other community organizations. He was a featured artist at the 2019 Autism Festival RTSA-TACC and his paintings and sculptures have been exhibited in several events. His work adorns the walls of numerous establishments, businesses and private collector’s homes throughout North America.
More about Benjamin Lachapelle
Ben has been creating since he was a young boy. He only draws, paints and makes sculptures of animals. Some would call this an autistic “obsession” or “restrictive interest” but Ben calls this his SUPERPOWER. Art has become a tool for Ben to manage and express his emotions, whether they be joy or frustration. His painting collection Extinction Protest Series™ is a dynamic example of how Ben expresses himself and channels his anxieties and feelings into artwork. Ben has studied drawing and painting under Laurentian artists Carol Lyng and Caroline Fellis. He also takes part in weekly art and social activities with Autism & Arts in the Laurentians (AAL). Ben proudly supports AAL’s mission to promote autism acceptance and inclusion in his community. Ben also writes and illustrates children’s picture books including the Yeti Series, a series of charming stories about a Yeti (who has many things in common with Ben and others on the spectrum) and his animal friends.
Our Mission - A Social Enterprise
Ben Animalia is a social enterprise and we operate in pursuit of social and environmental goals. Beyond promoting autism acceptance and providing a career path for autistic individuals through art, Ben Animalia supports community organizations which value environmental protections, wildlife conservation, neurodiversity, inclusion and enrich the lives of those with different abilities. Our enterprise has donated Ben’s books to public elementary schools in the Laurentians, loaned artwork and supported other creative engagements. We thank you for your interest and patronage.
