A self taught painter, Merleen spent more than 20 years representing the beauty of life on canvas. Working primarily with acrylic paints, she connected viewers to the idea that "we are here on earth for a divine purpose." She faced physical challenges and a visual impairment because of a stroke. Her inspiration stemmed from photographs collected through the years. When approaching new projects she claimed to "just take what is next in the pile" and begin. Merleen felt deeply honored to be a part of the Adult Collection. (Click here to see Merleen's 2000 award-winning: "I've Been There!"

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Louise recently began exploring her artistic expression. Her exposure to working creatively originates from a community based art program. Louise's 2000 award winner, "Vase 2" is her first entry to the collection. Louise's materials of choice include crayons, pencils and markers. Her affinity for personal expression and composition is evident. Her cognitive disability shows no sign of slowing down her creative ability. Louise is energized by this VSA award and plans to enter additional art exhibitions.

Tony's interest in visual art began during a VSA Artist in Residence program with Brooke Industries. His favorite artistic medium is colored pencil, which offers him a range of hues and intensity. Tony enjoys time spent creating, as it gives him a "chance to do something different." Challenged by his arthritic fingers, his drawing takes a great deal of attention and patience. He hopes that those who view his artwork appreciate "how hard it was for me to make." He enjoys the recognition and attention he receives from being a part of the collection. (Click here to see Tony's 1996 award-winning "Cutie.")

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Susan Campbell - "I just hope to have some impact on those who view my work in order to create acceptance of people with mental illness.

Creativity has been a part of Susan's life for more than 30 years. She has spent time pursuing art education, in both undergraduate studies and at the Layton School of Art. Her area of focus includes painting with acrylics and watercolors. She describes her style as changing from "detailed realism to loose and expressive - bordering on impressionism." Susan lives with depression related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and at times "it takes too much energy to get through the day." Being in the collection validates her as an artist. She says that her 1998 award winner "Vigilant" has brought her "one step closer to healing."

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Craig Allen Caywood- A day spent creating: "Fast, furious and prudent."

Following a path of personal expression, Craig has spent 25 years pursuing various creative endeavors. He focused on an education in the arts at MATC in Madison and MIAD in Milwaukee, studying drawing and painting. He encourages viewers to seek "their own visual and cognitive perceptions" of his work. One challenge of the Manic Depression he faces is keeping his artistic ideas from "becoming scattered." Craig finds inspiration from several sources including: two dimensional graphics, live models and natural structures. "Expression and visual forte" are what he enjoys most about being an artist. (Click here to see Craig's 1997 award-winning "Noir.")

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Dana DeArmond - "When I paint, there are no mental or physical barriers to restrain me - I can express the very essence which is me."

Dana proudly describes her style as "bold, colorful, and abstract in composition." Self-taught, she has been working with watercolors, acrylics and pastels for many years. During that time, she has discovered that "I want people to know that my work represents the happiness in my life." Regarding the challenges she faces, Dana shared, "My cognitive disability does not stand in the way of self expression. My art allows me the freedom to exercise my thoughts wherever they may be." Her creative philosophy speaks volumes: "Art knows no disabilities - everyone can feel accomplished in her or his expression. My art has given me the opportunity to touch peoples' lives in a very positive way while making me feel valued as a person." (Click here to see Dana's 1997 award winner: "Spontaneous Flutter")

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Jack Dillhunt -

Jack says he thinks of himself as an “intuitive artist.” He calls his work “streams of consciousness confided to cloth,” and the goal of his work is to provide the viewer with a healthy escape mechanism. In “May You Always Be In Serenity’s Shadow,” Jack says, “this is both a title and a wish for a young friend who won’t find any serenity until she can stay away from toxic chemicals.” While this is but one interpretation, he encourages viewers to find their own meaning in his work.

Barbara Jane Elert of Milwaukee is a two-time award winner; In 2005, her award-recognized piece was titled "Birch Lake"; In 2006, her honored textile piece is titled "Autumn - Central Park Lake." She says, "Artistic sewing has captured my imagination." She has been sewing ever since she can remember and art has always been a pastime, so by combining the two, she has carved out what she calls a satisfying lifestyle for herself. Barbara says she is always looking for new ways to express herself in the field of textiles, trying different techniques and styles. She says she has moved out of the mechanics of sewing and has found a way to use the fabric as a means of artistic expression. Barbara says about this year’s work that not every stitch is equal to another and not every building is exactly level. Just as in real life, she says, not everything has to be perfect. Barbara says Parkinsons has taught her to be creative in her lifestyle. Every day is a challenge and to meet that challenge, creativity plays an important role.

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Jon Foote - "Jon appears to enjoy being at 'one' with his creations - very therapeutic on an emotional level."

"Jon's work is very abstract and complex. [The] many layers and facets to the colors and textures he chooses allow his work to be interpreted in many different ways." As described by a staff person, Jon's unique style is evident upon first glance. He discovered his primary artistic medium, charcoal, through adaptive art classes at UW Oshkosh. His support coordinator defines aspects of Jon's cognitive disability and Autism. "Jon is nonverbal, but expresses himself through basic sign language and gestures. This doesn't appear to impact on his artistic abilities." An observation on how VSA recognition has made a difference: "Jon spends time viewing his own work as well as others on a regular basis and shows visual pleasure in this." (Click here to see Jon's 1997 award winner: Untitled.)

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Kim Marie Fresquez - Being an artist: "Creating something only that I made."

Kim first began working in the visual arts shortly before she submitted her 1995 award-winning piece "Bright Colors" to the Adult Art Collection. Her artistic style encompasses several techniques, including clay tiles with unusual textures. Kim wants those who view her work to understand that people with disabilities "can be creative too!" She does not feel that her disability is a barrier to artistic expression. Kim is inspired by many different sources. "Bright Colors" was sparked by "[an] idea from [a] magazine." How does she feel about her work being in the collection? "Happy that people liked what they [saw]."

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Joyce J. Gust - "My work functions to question rather than define reality, and reflects the human condition with the desire to transcend limitations."

Following her passion for the arts has been a way of life for Joyce Gust. She developed her painting and printmaking skills by pursuing a Baccalaureate degree from Marquette University and through graduate studies at UW Oshkosh. Sharing her work with others provides a great source of satisfaction. "There is something I must say ... I know that you with the arrow in your heart know and understand. I want my work to uplift the spirit of those with arrows in their hearts." Chronic pain, fused vertebrae in her neck and Fibromyalgia can sometimes act as a roadblock. When asked about her source for creativity and optimism, she replies, "Life is my best inspiration." Click here to see her 1997 award winner, "Morning Spirit." In 2004, Joyce received an Award for “A Spirit’s Dream” and an Honorable Mention for “Illuminated Spirit of Hope.”

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Robert Hanneman - "Everybody's drawings are good. Some guys say that my drawings are better than yours, but I say everybody's are good."

Inspired from his work in a greenhouse, Bob's drawings depict colorful plants and gardeners in unique, intricate patterns. He has been creating in this style for more than 50 years. A self-taught artist, Bob recalls, "I started drawing when I was young. I had epileptic seizures. I couldn't have jobs. I started drawing to keep myself out of trouble." Bob takes great pride in the patience required to draw each flower, spending hours at a time working unaffected by his cognitive disability. A favorite artistic accomplishment was having his artwork featured on a Lands' End catalog. With a cheerful smile Bob comments about his work: "It [doesn't] take long to draw, but it takes a while to color." (Click here to see Bob's 1998 award winner: Untitled.)

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Nelda Kuula - "I am an elegant tiger and I have a life filled with many colors: green for growth, yellow for brightness, purple for honor and majesty, orange and red for the wounds that are slowly healing from mental and physical abuse and blue for the skies unlimited opportunities ."

Nelda was introduced to visual art during a VSA program at the Gathering Place. She expresses herself through painting, revealing her love for brilliant colors. When asked about being in the collection she shares: "It has helped me to develop self esteem and gain confidence. When people view my artwork I want them ... to feel lighthearted and happy, to be lifted up in spirit." Nelda struggles with learning, physical and mental disabilities. "My disability slows me down sometimes in thinking ... but when I create and paint, I pursue it with great enthusiasm and passion. I can hardly wait to create new pictures and stories." (Click here to see Nelda's 1999 award winner: "Me the Colorful Tiger.")

William describes his creative background by saying "my degree in art education touched on most of the visual art processes, I am versatile." This certainly is the essence of William's work involving pastels, oils and printing inks. Working as an artist from age 15, William shares how visual art keeps him going. "I have to work or I don't feel right. Bottom line is to keep producing." One goal that maintains his motivation is "creating an image so interesting that others will enjoy looking at it!" Giving mention to his disability, William comments: "Manic Depression is a hard illness to deal with. Sometimes my mood is way up, other times very low. The paintings show this." Either way, William's work is an honest and beautiful representation of his life experiences. (Click here to see his 1997 award-winning "Mediterranean Blue")

"Pencil, marker, pastel, sometimes paint," are the tools Daniel uses to express his creative thoughts. Without formal training, he has gained inspiration from his parents and artistic family members. What he enjoys most in working as an artist is "being famous." He strives to represent "fantastic stuff" in each piece of art. Daniel carves out time to be creative after work, something that appears to be a relaxing and expressive outlet. Down Syndrome shows no sign of limiting his artistic side. It is a joy to hear Daniel boast with pride: "My pictures are nice." (Click here to see Daniel's 1996 award winner: "Crucifixion")

As a two-time award recipient in the Adult Art Collection, it is evident that Fran's watercolor work is striking. She discovered this painting process several years ago in local art classes. The experience sparked a relentless desire to master the medium. She believes that painting is not just a hobby. "It's work, it's hard work," she exclaims. "To do it well it's a lot of work." Her quest for creativity is one of only many challenges she has faced. After an automobile accident left her paralyzed at age 22, she was not expected to survive. Fran is now independent and optimistic. She has found: "You do whatever you have to do, and go on." (Click here to see Fran's two award winners: 1998's "Untitled" and 2000's "Racine Lighthouse" )

Ralph Sandler of Madison is a multiple award-winner; this year, his photograph "Misty Glacier-Iceland" is being honored. Ralph was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and moved to New York City with his family when he was a year and a half old. After beginning a college program in engineering, Ralph served for two years in the Army. After his discharge from the Army, Ralph went back to college to pursue a major in English and minor in Theater at New York University; he completed a master’s degree in English and Theater at UW-Madison. While in grad school in Madison, he became an actor in the theater and taught English for five years at UW-Madison and Carlisle College.

After 20 years presenting the arts in Madison at the Wisconsin Union Theater and then as Executive Director of the Madison Civic Center, Ralph moved back to New York briefly and then to Washington, D.C., where he served as a consultant for the National Endowment for the Arts. It was in Washington that Ralph had an unexpected and devastating stroke that left him with a speech disability known as aphasia. Ralph then moved back to Madison to be near family and friends and begin his long rehabilitation process. It was at this time that Ralph turned to photography. As the son of an amateur photographer and nephew of Life Magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, this was a natural talent and career path for him to continue his involvement in the arts.

Ralph has had two previous images honored with VSA Awards: "Freedom Phantom" in 2000 and "Atchafalaya Swamp" in 2003. Ralph volunteers his time and services each year for VSA Day at Camp Randall Stadium to help capture the day in pictures and we can tell you that Ralph captures the best smiles! Ralph is now venturing into the world of digital photography and image editing software programs to produce even more unique and fanciful results.

Jamie Winter-Schira of Shawano receives a 2006 award for her oil painting titled "Flower Sky." "If Warhol and Michaelangelo had a child who was Indian, the child's art might have looked like Jamie Winter's." That quote is from the Disabled Artists Network web site. Jamie is a descendent of the Hochunk tribe. Her grandfather emigrated from Ireland on one of the coffin ships and made his way to Wisconsin where he met and married his Hochunk bride. Jamie holds master's degrees in art and social work from UW-Madison, where she focused on color theory and painting and was chosen for a fellowship based on her GPA. Jamie also started "The Shawano Art League for the elderly and disabled."

Jamie has struggled her whole life with manic depression and was hospitalized for two years at a very young age and went to school under the "1971 Disability Act" after being diagnosed with learning disabilities. In addition, Jamie was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease, had a stroke and was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor that causes excruciating headaches. Jamie has lost full vision in her left eye and uses special lenses and lighting to see her art as she paints. Despite all these challenges, Jamie has a great attitude and enduring spirit and is currently working with DVR and Easter Seals, who referred her to the Disabled Artists Network to sell her work online. In her own words - "I am trying."

She says: "I paint watercolor, gouache and oils. I am a color theorist and do pseudo realistic work, sometimes bordering on the abstract and sometimes more toward the realistic; I find the combination fascinating. My subject matter comes in periods of 'mania' and I will work on up to 14 various pieces at once. I always see my pieces like a flash and draw them out. This way, if I flip and get depressed I can still work. I find that some of my work is very centered on my depressive states as if it is looming in the background ready to nail me... some of my work seems to be terror and others peaceful, still others peaceful with something wicked lurking.

"I started painting when I was young, my mom is an artist along with most of her family. I have won prizes and have sold work through Easter Seals, but I never seem to care about what people think of my art. It is so personal and I'm driven to do it, so even if no one ever saw any of it, I would still paint."

A self taught artist, Christopher has been working primarily with oil paints since 1991. The experiences he portrays in a softly rendered style are "truthful about the word." Observations are "filtered through my emotional and spiritual feelings," he says. Christopher is grateful for the opportunity to share his work and acknowledges "it has been an honor to be recognized among others in the collection." Reflecting upon his disability, he shares: "I have RP, (Retinitis Pigmentosa) which causes the loss of peripheral and night vision. When it comes to my art I do not let my disability become a factor in what or how I choose to paint. If anything my disability has been an ironic enhancement of my own vision." (Click here to see Christopher's 1997 award winner: "May" and Click here to see his 2003 award winner "Lake Berniece")

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Brandon Smith - "Draw and paint -- what I see in my mind, in my dreams."

As the youngest artist in the collection, Brandon created his 1999 award winner "The Mask" when he was just 17 years old. He's discovered that being in the collection enhances his life, giving him "something to share with my friends and family." He hopes his painting will pass on a powerful message to viewers. "I want it to be 'heartwarming,' I want them to feel friendship and love." Brandon doesn't feel that his artistic skills are limited by his disability. "Having Down Syndrome is just part of who I am." The creative process is what Brandon enjoys most about being an artist. He describes his art teacher as "awesome" and credits her for being his source of inspiration.

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Gary Stewart - "My meaning is personal … as an artist, I am responsible to create and stir emotions and thought."

Gary has been creating art since 1994 and says he likes working with clay the most. He prefers making 3D objects utilizing mixed media. He says, “I like to experiment and make unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.” He says “the buyers must interpret the artwork for themselves. My meaning is personal … as an artist, I am responsible to create and stir emotions and thought. I do not like to put labels on things.” Gary also shares this statement he calls “What Art Means to Me”: “From the beginning of time when God decided to make the earth and all living things, He became the first known artist. When God decided to make Adam and Eve, He became the first known ceramic artist when He took clay and made man and woman. God breathed life into them, creating the greatest work of art. Since then, artists have made sculptures, painting and ceramics, always trying to be God-like in bringing life and feeling to their work by giving them personality, humor, inner beauty, spirituality and pain, with heartbreaks with a touch of life’s disappointments. This is how I try to bring my art to life.”

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Mark Sullivan - "I want people to see what beauty nature has to offer. Everyone can experience it: see it, smell it, feel it."

"Inspired by nature," describes Mark's motivation to photograph the world around him. He has spent several years of his life working to perfect his craft, eagerly representing his personal observations. Without formal training, he has sought his own creative process. "I either have something in mind to photograph or I just go out looking for something to catch my eye." Mark candidly shares: "I have been diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease and Major Depression. At times it is very hard to think positive and the tremors sometimes interfere with my work." However challenged, Mark continues to move forward. The collection has "enhanced my confidence," and promoted "people purchasing my art." (Click here to see Mark's 1998 award-winning piece, "Web of Pearls")

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Susan Tormoen - "My art has provided an outlet which greatly improves the quality of my life."

"A visual esthetic experience" is what Susan hopes to convey through her work. With a bachelor's degree in philosophy and additional fine art training, her artistic career has spanned more than 35 years. She enjoys the creative process and reveals: "music enhances my creating day," while "my disability gives me the time." Challenged by her mental health, Susan describes her journey as an artist in this way: "VSA got me back into art after a long episode of illness." She is quite optimistic and observes that her disability "has given me the space to become a professional artist." In an effort to define her creative style she reveals: "Matisse is my favorite artist and has influenced my work. (Click here to see Susan's 1998 award winner: "Purple Tree")

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Nicklaus Lee Weiss - Painting: "Expressing what I feel inside that I can't say in words."

"Fun" is what Nicklaus hopes viewers will experience through his artwork. His 1996 award-winning piece "Summer Night," full of fantastic colors and shapes, is a delight to take in. Exposed to visual art in high school, Nick has maintained his involvement for several years. "I like drawing and painting. I love making pictures. I can do it myself and it makes me feel good." As for a particular source of inspiration, he says: "I like Monet. I saw his artwork in Chicago in 1995." Nick lives his life to the fullest, striving not to let Autism affect his creativity. When asked if being in the collection has changed his life, he comments, it "makes me want to do more!"

Jon Wos of Oshkosh is being honored for his award-winning oil painting, "Calm After the Storm." Jon was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bones. His childhood was filled with fractures, body casts, surgeries and hospitals. He spent most of his time in bed drawing or making something with his hands. When he was a freshman in high school, Jon received “best of show” in a student art contest and, in 2004, he was the grand prize winner of the VSA arts/Volkswagen national contest, "Road Trip: A Journey of Discovery" for which he received $10,000 in prize money (see more information).

Jon says that his disability has shown him that he cannot take time for granted, so he uses his time to its fullest and pushes his art as fast as he can, always keeping in mind that his gift could be taken away at any time.

"When I began drawing," he says, "the images used to be from my head and I would never know what they meant. Now I feel I have more control over my concepts and can relate them better with my life. The calm and flowing style that I have adopted into my art can always be seen no matter if I use clay, glass, paint or pencil. This has shown me that the medium no longer inhibits my vision, and is only the physical tool that I [use to] bring intangible ideas to life."

Jon says he no longer uses his time to complain about life or ignore its truths. He says he uses art to explore and make sense of life and his personal identity. "Through exploring my life with creating, art has become my life and not only a way of expression."

Jon says, "I hope the one thing people take out of my art is the fact that we make our own reality and we can either make it a positive or a negative place. I try to convey this in my pieces with surreal and realistic images combined. This way, the onlooker is attracted to the representational, inviting them to see my ideas through the surreal."

2006 Adult Honorable Mentions

Elliot Doering of Shorewood is receiving honorable mention for his photo "Charge of the Pack." Elliot's interest in photography began back in the 1960s when he would attend annual USAC Stock Car & Indy Car auto races at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. A high school friend had a good 35mm camera and he says he liked the results, so when he was in the Air Force in his 20s, Elliot purchased a good camera of his own and proceeded to teach himself the basics of photography. While pursuing photographing car and motorcycle races, he learned how to get credentials to get "behind the fences" and up close to the action. Elliot says he's been photographing seriously for about 20 years and has been able to shoot at the best race tracks throughout the United States and Europe. He says that, "while most photographers today have made the switch to digital, I am probably the ‘last of the breed’ to still use color print film."

Elliot was diagnosed with a nervous/anxiety/stress disorder along with depression. He says he finds that photography is a good way to channel his creativity and get out of negative mood swings; his mind can focus on positive things. Elliot says his photography has brought him not only more confidence, but he has also won contests and been featured in magazines, which he says brings him a sense of self-worth, confidence, acceptance, and the ability to share skills and friendships with other photographers and artists in the area and worldwide.

Lonnie Lawrence of Stevens Point is being honored for the second time for a piece of pyrography on hide artwork; this year’s piece is titled is "Indian Spirits." These unique pieces show incredible details and the enormous amount of time and hard work Lonnie must have put into them. Lonnie has always been interested in art and began drawing at age 5. In his teens he became focused on pyrography, and has been working in this medium ever since. This piece, like most of his art, is done exclusively with a controlled burning technique. He says his work "brings the animals to life – by doing it on deer hide it is almost as if the canvas is alive too." Lonnie enjoys the process and says he likes this art form because it makes him feel closer to the animals.

Mary Mesman of Madison is receiving recognition today for her collage piece titled "Spring Greens." Mary has been painting for 15 years, but identifies collage art as her passion. "Being legally blind poses challenges for me. By using creative thinking, I have always achieved my artistic objectives, whether it’s collage artwork, cards, paintings or web sites." Mary says that "using high contrasting colors creates a greater visual impact artwork. I like to use bold colors in my artwork because it's easier for me to ‘see’ what I’m painting." While studying web site design as the first legally blind student in the Madison Area Technical College Art Department, special technology made it possible for her to participate in drawing, design, typography and computer graphics; her teachers told her that having her as a student also helped them learn new ways of teaching.

Sarah Petzold of Oostburg is being honored by VSA for the second time this year; her work is titled "It's Pretty!" She says enjoys listening to music and playing computer games in addition to drawing and doing yarn work on canvas. Sarah is also an actress who has played parts as the sugar cube container in Anastasia, as a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz and as Pearlie in Mary Poppins. Sarah enjoys life and all it has to bring to her! She is a previous Honorable Mention honoree for her 2004 yarn work titled "Go Packers Go!" When asked about this year's honored artwork, Sarah says "well, it's love"; it's about her parents’ love.

Donald Pierce of Madison is receiving honorable mention for his acrylic painting "Still Life at Night" Don was born in Lancaster, Wisc., and, living with Cerebral Palsy, moved to Madison at 6 years old where he attended Washington school. At 15 years old, he returned to Lancaster to live with his parents and attend high school. In 1973, a teacher at UW-Platteville got Don interested in art and encouraged him to study there; he finished his B.S. degree in art with a minor in psychology in 1987. Don returned to Madison to pursue a masters degree in rehab psychology. Don says he always liked art and prefers painting flowers (he even has a rose tattoo on his arm). He says he also likes watching sports, especially football and fantasy football. Don credits Nancy Giffey and her Artsbridge outreach class for getting him back into art.

2006 Children's Award Recipients

Kristina Ekman of Mequon is receiving her award for her color pencil and ink work titled "Wolves in the Woods." Kristina was born in Russia and spent her first two and a half years in a Russian orphanage. Her parents tell her that she showed an "exceptional talent in art" soon after her adoption. "Art is my passion in life," she says. "I often draw for hours at a time. I also love animals, so that is my favorite subject to draw. My artwork for this contest shows two wolves in the woods at night." Kristina says that with her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, art helps calm her and helps her maintain her focus.

Dakota Leszczynski’s award-winning mixed media piece is titled "The City." Dakota is from Kewaskum and says that he created his work in art class "all by myself. First we painted a lot of different papers with all kinds of different textures. Then we made those papers into the skyscrapers. I like cars and I added a lot of cars. My favorite color is yellow!"

Jonathan Mattmann of New Glarus is receiving his award for "Summer Day on the Farm," created with color markers. Jonathan is a fourth-grade student identified by his teacher as "an outstanding person who is learning to overcome the difficulties of having significant hearing loss" since birth. Jonathan benefits from the use of hearing aids in everyday life and, while in school, he uses an FM listening system and a sign language interpreter. In fact, Jonathan's first language is American Sign Language as his father and sister have a profound hearing loss and his mother also has a hearing disability. As the family member who can hear better than the rest, Jonathan is responsible for interpreting for his family.

Gavin Mondor of Baldwin is a sixth-grade student at Viking Middle School and is being honored for his etching titled "Greek Vase Design." Gavin says he likes to "draw civilizations, empires, WWI, WWII, ancient cities, civil war, almost anything that involves history." He says it "makes me feel like it is actually happening. It reminds me of what happened in recorded history." Gavin says he likes to create things out of his imagination and draw images from Greek pottery, Egyptian carvings from temples and Roman military symbols. "Basically," he says, "art excites me."

Martin Zuniga of New Richmond is receiving an award for his print "The Blooming Flower." Martin is 13 years old and in the 7th grade. He says his favorite part of art is coloring and drawing and that his learning disability does not affect his art. He says the piece he submitted is a flower "because it looks cool," using the colors light blue, red and light green because they looked like they would blend into the flower. "I was nervous when I started the project," Martin says, "Now that it is done, I feel OK. I think I did a good job."

2006 Children's Honorable Mentions

Travis Boldt of West Bend is being honored for his tempera painting "The Magic Tree." Travis is 8 years old and a student at Wayne Elementary School in Campbellsport. He says he has a hard time drawing and writing due to Developmental Coordination 'isorder. "I'm not sure what that means," says Travis. "I know that I have all of these ideas in my head, but it's hard to get them on paper because my hands can't do what my brain tells them." Travis made this picture of a magic tree in his second-grade art class. He says the branches connect so they can get more water. The branches only connect at night, which is why the picture is at night with the moon. He says, "Sometimes at sunset the branches start connecting!"

Heather Lyn Featherston of Berlin is receiving honorable mention for her mixed media piece, "Smiling Sun." Heather is a 15-year-old with Downs Syndrome. She says "I am happy and my mom makes me feel pretty." Heather likes art because she likes her teacher. "In class we do a lot of fun things. We get to use different colors. I like orange and yellow. My favorite color is pink." Heather said she made this picture of the sun "because we had a lot of cloudy weather for a long time. The sun makes me happy. It makes me feel warm. I like to play outside when it's sunny. I like the bright colors on my sun and it makes me smile."

Christine Otto of Shawano is receiving honorable mention for her oil pastel, "Turkeys in the Meadow," a Thanksgiving art project. Christine is 9 years old and a 4th grade student at Olga Brener School. She says she likes working with oil pastels and watching the colors blend and flow together because her work comes to life in front of her eyes as she works. Christine says that art has always been a very important part of her life, there for her when she needs it. Born with hip dysplasia, Christine has had 10 surgeries on her hips and feet and says that art is an outlet to get her through the ongoing pain and healing process; it kept her hands and mind busy while her hips and legs were in casts. Christine also says that "art helps me to keep my ADHD under control. Art motivates me to be the best I can be. The one time I can stay in control of me. Art calms my mind; it helps me to concentrate and focus on what I'm doing while keeping my creative mind and fidgety hands busy. Art is a very important part of my life."

Adrianna Shuler of Green Bay is receiving honorable mention for her colored pencil drawing titled "By-You." Adrianna is 11 years old and says she wants to be a graphic artist or Manga (or animation) artist; she has dedicated herself to illustrating and writing three comics on her own. Able to draw for hours at a time, Adrianna carries a sketchbook practically everywhere she goes. She says the theme of her drawing is a mixture of Japanese and Bayou influences, focusing on rebuilding after Katrina, and diversity. The reason the tree says "By You," which is a play on words, is to show all the kids, who are wearing kimonos, being together. On the orange tent is the Japanese symbol for rest (person plus tree equals rest). Adrianna says she hopes to visit or move to Japan one day and write her own comics. She hopes to learn the Japanese alphabet and some of the language.