Mixing It Up: Art program combines students of all abilities

Rick Ryder was a creative person. He worked in catalog sales at Sara Lee, and he loved to watch painter Bob Ross on television. Ryder had been in a wheelchair since he was found to have a spinal tumor at the age of 20.

When Ryder, 48, died in June 2008 of infections related to his paralysis, his parents wanted to celebrate their son's life in a way that kept his optimistic and brave spirit alive.

On the night that he died, Gene and Ann Ryder decided that they wanted to use memorials that they received to establish art classes at First Baptist on Fifth Street, where they are members. Rick Ryder always wanted to take art classes, but had never found the time. The Ryders said they appreciated all that the church had done to be welcoming and accessible for their son.

"Rick was a cheerful fellow," Ann Ryder said. "He got the most out of life, whatever his circumstances. I think most of us have lives that could stand enriching with something pleasant."

The Ryders didn't want the classes to be only for the disabled. Their son resented efforts to segregate him from other people, so classes are about evenly split between those with disabilities and those without, the Ryders said.

They declined to say how much they collected in memorials, but said that they have enough money to continue the classes until the end of this year. The money goes to pay for gift certificates for teachers, refreshments and some class materials.

They named their effort the Open Doors to the Arts Ministry and offered the first series of classes in February 2009. Each cycle consists of four classes that meet once a week and has 15 to 20 students. Linda Weaver, a local painter, taught the first series of classes and donated her time, as have all teachers. Students pay $20, which partially covers their materials. Being a member of First Baptist is not a requirement. There have been classes in portraits, oils, and pen and ink drawing.

The church worked with Cindy Arrington to reach disabled people who wanted to develop their artistic talents. Arrington serves as the assistant director of The Adaptables, Inc. Center for Independent Living, a clearinghouse of information for disabled people. Arrington is Weaver's daughter.

Each class tends to take on its own character, depending on the medium and the students who sign up, Ryder said. She and her husband volunteer with the project as often as possible.

Since its start, the arts ministry has worked with people who are paraplegics as well as those who have multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and are amputees.

Teachers wander among the students, providing advice on shading, composition or technique for each student's work.

William Huffman, an artist who works in oils and pen and ink, said that he enjoys seeing students in the class develop their talents.

There really is no difference, he said, between the work of someone with a disability and someone without one.

Jeffrey Cooke, who became a double amputee after being run over by a train 15 years ago during a robbery, said that he had done quite a bit of drawing on his own at home but that the classes have helped him develop his talent.

Cooke said that too many disabled people fall into a pattern of hibernating at home when they should be getting out and taking advantage of opportunities.

"There so many things out there for the disabled," he said.

Jerry Bennett, a retired pediatrician, said that taking art classes in retirement was a goal that he had set years ago.

He has enjoyed hearing his classmates' stories, he said, and meeting other artists.

Bennett said that he has taken several of the church's classes and pursued artistic opportunities outside of class.

"I've had a wonderful time," he said. "The main thing, particularly for someone who's never painted before, is it's exposed me to a number of artists."

Theresa Sabbagh was working on a children's book when she attended her first class. She has multiple sclerosis and suffers from several auto-immune illnesses. She has enjoyed drawing since childhood, she said, and that led her to sign up for the first cycle of classes.

Since then, her work with several of the artists has led her to expand her children's book into a series of books. She said that she felt that her work had reached a new level.

"I've gotten a lot of confidence," she said. "I've gotten a whole different perspective on my abilities."

She said that the book series contains characters who have diabetes and cerebral palsy.

Writing the books has helped her come to terms with her son's death from cancer in 2004. She said she finds that she can pour her emotions into her work, whether it's a poem or a drawing -- and her work has improved.

"If it weren't for someone like Cindy (Arrington) encouraging me," she said, "I would probably still be sitting at home working on crafts."

mgiunca@wsjournal.com

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