Artists with the ability to create objects enjoyable to our senses and spirits come in all sizes, ages and ethnic backgrounds. Many techniques, as varied and unique as the artists themselves, are used to capture a beautiful moment or make a statement about our world.

The talented children and adults with works in MDA's Art Collection, with a wide range of interests and personalities, are as different as night and day. However, through the MDA Art Collection, these artists, age 2 to 82, share one common trait -- they show that physical disability isn't necessarily a barrier to creativity.

The Collection includes oil paintings, watercolors, photographs, sculptures and other works created by over 200 adults and children with neuromuscular diseases. MDA started the Collection in 1992 to focus attention on the achievements of artists with disabilities.

While the Collection is on permanent display at MDA's national headquarters in Tucson, Ariz., selected works have been exhibited nationwide at places such as the Dallas Museum of Art; Circle Gallery in Beverly Hills, Calif.; Cork Gallery and Forbes Magazine Galleries in New York; the Bishop Museum in Honolulu; University of California, Berkeley, Museums at Blackhawk; Duluth (Minn.) Art Institute; and the Capital Children's Museum in Washington.

With invitations from museums and galleries still coming in, the Collection is tentatively set to be featured at the these locations in 1996:

• Tucson International Airport, through March 17.
• Art Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke, June 10 through Aug. 31.
• Children's Museum of Los Angeles, July 1-31.
• Art Museum of Southeast Texas in Beaumont, Aug. 10 through Sept. 30
• Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Okla., Nov. 3 through Dec. 30.

THE ART AND THE ARTISTS

"Snow Owl" is a dry-brush watercolor by Karen Wheeler, 41, of Las Vegas. She's a member of the Nevada Watercolor Society and the Las Vegas Art Museum. She received a master's degree in art from California State University, Fullerton. Wheeler's favorite subjects are animals, and she hides a rose in every painting. She says the rose represents herself and she chose it because "it's an object that's easily accepted by others." Wheeler's limited arm and leg movement doesn't hinder her creative abilities. She developed an elastic sling to support her right hand as she works. By resting periodically, she's able to produce intricately detailed wildlife pictures for her exhibits and one-woman shows in the Las Vegas area, as well as for wildlife fund-raisers, such as those for the San Diego and Canadian zoos.

This bright landscape was created by Trevor Schaid, 20, from Monroe, Wis. He has spinal muscular atrophy and painted the unnamed watercolor at an MDA-sponsored art workshop in 1991 at Camp Lake, Wis. Schaid is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and enjoys hobbies such as drawing, reading and writing.

"Old Barn" is an oil painting by Dan Beacome, 46, of Alma, Mich. Beacome, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), balances a paintbrush between his teeth to bring life to landscapes and portraits. In 1992, he was named MDA's Personal Achievement Award winner for Michigan.

"From Russia With Love" is an oil painting by Lynette Battles, 83, from Rathdrum, Idaho, who has myasthenia gravis. Battles studied art at the Joslyn Center for the Arts in California and is known today for her works in oil and use of the American prairie in her paintings. Her award-winning work was selected for numerous juried shows at venues such as the Portland (Oregon) Art Museum; Boise State University; Corbin Art Center (Spokane, Wash.); and the Gallery Genesis, Chicago.

"Columbines, Shenandoah National Park" is a watercolor by Mary Ann Miller, 54, from Clinton, N.J., who has periodic paralysis. With bachelor's and master's degrees in art education, she worked as an art teacher for eight years and is currently a school counselor at the Clinton Public School. Miller's works have been exhibited in numerous juried shows in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York City. She is a member of the Hunterdon Art Center, Hunterdon Watercolor Society and is an associate member of the Garden State Watercolor Society.

"Oriental Birds" is a painting of mixed media by Kerri Braun, 38, of Freehold, N.J. She gives private arts and crafts lessons as well as running a transportation service with her husband, Tom. Braun, a former MDA National Goodwill Ambassador, is now a member of her local MDA Task Force on Public Awareness.

"Lilacs for Olivia" is an oil painting by Michael Hudecki, 51, of Getzville, N.Y. Affected by limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, he's a professor of biology at State University of New York-Buffalo, where he conducts research on the causes of muscular dystrophy. He's also an accomplished painter whose works are accepted at juried shows.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Artists who wish to contribute to the MDA Art Collection or who have questions about the project are urged to contact their local MDA office or call MDA National Headquarters at (520) 529-2000.