Not only did Thursday evening’s silent art auction at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School raise money, it also raised the consciousness of the community when it comes to autism.
“Awareness is the biggest thing. All that these kids want is accepted,” said Mary Jo Corignani.
Bradford Area School District holds its annual Autism Art Auction each April in honor of National Autism Awareness Month.
This year, students creating art for the event were from School Street Elementary School, George G. Blaisdell Elementary School, Fretz, Bradford Area High School and the Beacon Light school in Custer City.
Corignani’s son, Jacob Meister, was one of many virtuous artists who donated a piece of their own artwork to the auction in order to spread awareness for autism and raise money to aid McKean County CARE for Children.
Corignani explained that some of the kids are not able to be active in the community due to their disabilities and that the auction allows them the chance to be a helpful part of the community. A key point Corignani made is that those with autism love to be encouraged.
Six-year-old Malek Slater revealed his favorite part of the event by commenting, “I get to pick out paintings and seeing other peoples’ artwork.” The young artist plans to continue to create art and says some of his favorite subjects to paint are colorful things: Pokemon and Minecraft.
School Street Elementary principal Sarah Tingley sees the philanthropic event as a way to “showcase the unique talents and gifts of all students of all abilities. It started out as a small event several years ago and has blossomed into a huge event.”
Tingley has observed that the kids enjoy expressing themselves through their creations and seeing the community respond in such a positive manner. Tingley recognized a few individuals who helped make the event possible, including Jennifer Morgan, the director of special education, and Stephanie Keyes, one of the head organizers.
One of the biggest takeaways from the event and its atmosphere is that it is important in an ever-evolving world of augmenting differences and divergent environments that people unconditionally unite with those affected by autism as they continuously strive to live their best, happiest lives.
