Community Champion: Artist Helping Disabled People in Mississippi
Updated: Jan 30, 2023 11:10 AM CST
Tom Harmon, Executive Director of Art for All, Mississippi, holds weekly art classes for people with mental or physical disabilities, as well as the elderly. From people with autism to people with schizophrenia, this class is designed to help people socialize and learn new skills. Many of the aspiring artists in the world are getting the chance to express themselves. They say things like, ‘If I hadn’t been able to come to Art, I would have been in bed all day. “If I couldn’t come to the art or go see it with my friends, I probably would have ended up in the hospital,” Harmon said. He lost more than 50% of his hearing before being fitted with cochlear implants. Some of Harmon’s students are even able to sell their work and create picture books because of his class, Harmon says. For more information on Art For All Mississippi, tap here. Next Community Send your champion nominations to communitychampion@wapt.com.
Tom Harmon, Executive Director of Art for All, Mississippi, holds weekly art classes for people with mental or physical disabilities, as well as the elderly. From people with autism to people with schizophrenia, this class is designed to help people socialize and learn new skills.
Harmon said many of these aspiring artists have the opportunity to express themselves thanks to this weekly class.
“It works tremendously. I get notes from their parents and guardians, testimonials from them themselves, saying things like, ‘If I hadn’t come to Art, I would have been in bed all day.’ “If I hadn’t come to Art and been able to see my friends, I probably would have ended up in the hospital,” Harmon said.
Helping people with disabilities is personal to Harmon. He lost more than 50% of his hearing before being fitted with cochlear implants. Some of Harmon’s students are even able to sell their work and create picture books, he says, thanks to his class of art.
For more information on Art For All Mississippi, tap here. Send your nominations for the next Community Champion to communitychampion@wapt.com.
