For the past few years Micah has periodically taken art classes at the Currier Museum. He attends a class for adults with special needs accompanied by his aide Melody who assists him with the weekly art projects. The classes have proven to be a positive experience for Micah, not only to learn more about creating art, but also to meet new friends. The end result of his classes is an eclectic creation of art projects that are displayed in his room and around our home. Occasionally, however, he brings home creations that make me wonder what in the world his instructor was thinking when she came up with the idea for their lesson.
Last week was one of those times. Even Melody, who is generally generous in praise in all things Micah, gave a disclaimer when he brought home his art project, saying basically, she was not sure what we could do with it. I took a look at the random group of objects glued to a hard surface and immediately thought “dust magnet”. The reality being, even if I hung it on the wall of his bedroom gallery it would basically just catch dust in all the nooks and crevices created by the different sized objects. I was about to quietly deep six it in the garbage when it occurred to me that I should at least snap a photo of it to send to my sister Jennifer as she is the artist in the family.
For the record, our mother was an artist of considerable talent, but I, alas, inherited none of it. Jennifer, on the other hand, is a talented artist who, like our mother, taught art for many years. Thus I texted her the photo of Micah’s creation to see what she thought of it, telling her I was thinking of tossing it. If you know Jennifer well you will know that she is not a woman who is chained to her phone. In fact, texts of some importance, may be responded to days later; ditto phone messages to her. So, imagine my surprise to hear the ping of a text coming back to me in less than a half hour with the message “Don’t you dare toss it, David says hang it in a gallery!!! I would love a Micah Original!!!” (David is her son, which means she was actually showing other people the photo of Micah’s odd art project)!
I responded that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that Micah would be happy to gift this work of art to his Aunt Jen. The next day Jennifer even sent a follow-up text advising me to have Micah sign and date his work as that is what artists do. Her response brought tears to my eyes, as I realized that she was serious and that she could see the beauty in something I thought was destined for the garbage. Perhaps because her nephew created it, or perhaps because she could see with an artist’s eye what I could not. Quite honestly, I still cannot see the beauty in that art project, but I bask in Jennifer’s love and support of the artist within my son. Thus, tonight I am giving thanks that the artist gene that bypassed me lives on and flourishes through Micah’s creations and for the sister who has his artistic back.
Jan Lessard Peightell
December 26, 2019