ARTS FOR ALL DRAWS CROWD

Star Marschke, left, assisted Leslie Stucker who took a turn at painting a huge canvas Saturday at the Arts for All event.

Becky Nation, 7, wheeled across the asphalt steering a tray of colored chalk to create a work of art at Saturday's Arts for All celebration.

Becky, daughter of Steve and Margie Nation has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

Twin sister Rachel and older brother Steven were displaying their artistic talents as well. They had each created a painting using poster board, pieces of foam and Dwayne Szot's paint roller.

Szot, the Minnesota artist whose love for the aesthetic quality of machines led him to develop tools that are an extension of the human hand, brought his creations to St. Vincent's Seminary Grounds for the second annual Arts for All event hosted by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

"Human expression is just as basic a need as food and shelter," said Szot. The tools he developed make that expression easier.

Szot was very pleased with this year's turnout. "There are more mixed abilities here this year than there were last year," said Szot. "This (St.Vincent's) is just a great place to have this event."

Szot is also pleased that public awareness seems to be on the rise.

People without disabilities also participated in the day's events.

David Grant is an active participant in several organizations for people with disabilities. He is especially known for his fund-raising efforts for the SADI (Semo Alliance for Disability Independence) auctions.

Grant has had multiple problems since birth, and recent surgery has required him to use a wheelchair. "I didn't realize how frustrating it would be to do the simplest things," said Grant.

Grant was getting ready to test his painting talents with Szot's wheelchair mounted paint roller.

Leslie Stucker, assistant to the director of the arts council is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State, was one of Saturday's volunteers.

Stucker graduated with a degree in art with a concentration in studio painting. She was helping with the paint roller because in her words, "Every day's a great day to paint." Everyone participating seemed to agree with her.

Colors and designs bled through the gigantic paper canvas onto the 15 pieces of actual canvas which will be distributed to sponsors of the day's events and be used in future fund raisers.