Two years ago, a painfully shy student from Soldan High School came to work at St. Louis ArtWorks; an employment training and arts program for youth from at-risk backgrounds. David could hardly meet your gaze – he couldn’t greet you or engage in a conversation due to a severe stutter.
David suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, a neurological disorder that, among other things, affects the mind’s ability to focus beyond one primary thought, which is what left him stuttering.
David Stephenson’s one interest has been graphic design. He comes to work in our graphics studio as early as we will let him, and he stays until the last one of us here asks him to leave when we do.
He lives with his father and grandfather on $15,000 a year, because his father had a stroke last spring and cannot work. In spite of all of this, David just graduated from Soldan and is hoping to attend St. Louis Community College at Forest Park.
Thanks to all of you in the St. Louis art community for helping to give this sweet, talented kid a chance at a better life. He is a member of our Boomerang Gang at Boomerang Press – and whether he wins or not, we are VERY proud of our David!!
This month David Stephenson was one of 27 finalists in the Art the Vote billboard competition. His and other designs can be seen at www.artthevote.com
Priscilla Block
Executive Director
St. Louis ArtWorks