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Teen with autism showcases artistic talent
Chesterfield student wins national competition
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| photo courtesy CVS Caremark/ Victoria Wright, 13, a Chesterfield resident and student at St. Gemma Center in Ellisville, is shown with parents, Jamie and Michelle Wright, in front of her winning artwork on display in Washington, D.C. | ||
Victoria Wright, 13, threw up her arms in triumph. One hand gripped a bouquet of flowers and the other a proclamation citing Victoria Wright Day in Chesterfield.
Victoria, who has autism, was honored July 19 during a Chesterfield City Council meeting with a proclamation recognizing her skills as an artist.
She grinned ear to ear and blew kisses to her family when the entire crowd stood to applaud her.
"We're very proud of her talents," Chesterfield Mayor John Nations said. "I have a painting (of a garden) she gave me last fall in my office here. When you have talent you're willing to share, it enriches the lives of a whole community."
A student at St. Gemma Center in Ellisville, Victoria's acrylic on canvas painting, Feathers, representing exotic birds at the St. Louis Zoo, recently won the Missouri competition that was part of the All Kids Can Create project, sponsored by CVS Caremark and VSA, the International Organization of Arts and Disability.
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"My painting is beautiful," Victoria said. "I was so excited to win."
As her prize, Victoria, her parents, Jamie and Michelle Wright, and her 15-year-old sister, Cristiana, travelled last month to Washington, D.C.'s Union Station, courtesy of CVS Caremark.
There they participated in a Congressional reception and the ribbon cutting of an exhibition of artwork of all 51 winners, who each have a disability. They ranged in age from 5 to 15, with one from each state and the District of Columbia.
They were selected from among 5,500 applicants to the third annual All Kids Can Create program, which encourages young artists with disabilities to continue achieving. The exhibit will tour the country for two years, traveling to various children's museums.
Victoria also won last year for her painting of a jellyfish.
"When I paint, a lot of ideas come out," she said.
Victoria was diagnosed at 22 months with PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified), an autism spectrum disorder.
Victoria's parents said since first going to St. Gemma when it opened in 2007 she has excelled at art, thanks to her teacher Catherine Forder, who discovered her talents.
"Ms. Forder saw Victoria was blending colors and creating things in a unique way," Michelle Wright said. "For instance, she was given a pumpkin and painted it all different colors. Soon, she was making beautiful creations."
The center, operated by the St. Louis Archdiocesan Department of Special Education, serves youngsters with autism and developmental disabilities.
"The curriculum is targeted and intensive and therapeutic," she said. "We've just been able to take Victoria off one of her medications. We're blessed the Archdiocese has a school like this, which has allowed her to blossom."
Victoria also loves to run track and swim; she's on a local Special Olympics swim team, through Show Me Aquatics and Fitness in St. Charles. And she's learning to play the piano.
Victoria's now working on a new project, a large painting of a beach scene for her mother's office. "All this positive attention for her art and her school have changed Victoria's life dramatically, improving her self esteem and confidence," Michelle Wright said.
Jamie Wright agreed.
"I couldn't be more proud, but, then, I'm her dad - everything she creates is beautiful to me," he said.
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