Art center to feature works by autistic artists.

LUDINGTON – The Ludington Area Center for the Arts will exhibit works by autistic artists during the month of November. An artists’ reception will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. to launch the exhibit that continues through Nov. 25.

Included in this exhibit are works by various artists living with autism. The featured artist is Nick Bair from Canton. Bair, 22, has autism and has a long standing love for art; he has been drawing and painting from a young age.  Bair has been an exhibiting artist at the Plymouth Community Art Council several times, and at the University of Michigan.  He has competed at the local, state and national level and recently received an honorable mention in a national art contest.  He has works on permanent display at the Plymouth Public Library.

Nick works in multiple media – pen/ink, watercolor, acrylic, graphic pen/marker, charcoal, and graphite.  His major inspiration is wildlife with a focus on dinosaurs, and modern day pachyderms and other large animals, but also does humans. To date Nick has raised nearly $10,000 for charitable organizations supporting children with disabilities, the Oakwood NICU, and the visual and performing arts.

A lecture by Mary Ann Payne about her book, “Hadley”, a mother’s story of autism and hope will begin in the performance hall at 6 p.m., Nov. 5, followed by the screening of “I Have Autism”, a  short documentary presented by Ludington film maker Renee Tate. This documentary humanizes autism by telling the story of Hadley and Chase, two young individuals living with autism in Michigan. The film features music by The Road Less Traveled and Chloe Kimes with Awesome Distraction.

This event is free and open to the public.  Donations appreciated. The venue is handicap accessible with a ramp to the entrance and a stair climber lift to the performance gall. For more information contact the LACA office at 231-845-2787.