Art students surprise Don Knabe with portraits

DOWNEY - The students of the sixth annual Don Knabe Pediatric Arts program surprised Supervisor Knabe at a special reception last week with paintings they created based on his official portrait photo.The reception was held in the first floor Physical Therapy Gym of the Jacquelin Perry Institute at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. The Supervisor was visibly moved by the 15 paintings, which were displayed during the reception and also turned into a poster called "The Many Faces of Don Knabe." His voice was filled with emotion as he thanked the young artists for the tribute. "You are my inspiration and my motivation," he said. "I am so proud of each of you and everything you are accomplishing, not just in this class, but in life." Rancho CEO Jorge Orozco praised the Supervisor for his "incredible support, without which this program would not be possible". The students who have completed the 2012 Pediatric Arts Program include Zinthia Alvarado, Jasmin Amador, Jonathan Alvarenga, Destiny Barajas, Johanna Calderon, Joel Castro, Bryan Juarez, Deisy Mendez, Jesus and Luis Morales, Maira Morales, Alexis Pule, Angel Pule, David Ramos, Jose Ramos, Charlie Uribe, Daisy Varela, Maricruz Varela and Jose Zendejas. Each of the students completed eight art sessions in the Pediatric Arts program. "This is our largest Pediatric Arts class yet, and we're amazed and pleased at the work these students have done," said instructor and renowned artist Steve Clay. His fellow instructor and noted artist Robert Thome said, "These young artists have worked so hard to produce the work you see today, and it is just tremendous. We salute each of these young people for having the courage to push the envelope and create such powerful artworks. They are the future of the Art of Rancho program." The Don Knabe Pediatric Arts program is one of several signature Rancho Los Amigos Foundation programs that provide Rancho patients with hands-on experiences in The Arts.

********** Published: August 30, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 20