Art Collection | MDA

Peaceful Watch by Cathleen Cato Givan Formerly a pharmacist, Cato has studied art all her life, including stints in Europe and at the Art Students League of Denver. She now creates commissioned art and other original works in several media. This artwork was featured in the 1997 MDA “Holiday Wishes” card collection. Peaceful Watch Cathleen Cato Givan Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)	Peachtree City Girls by Audrey Falk Audrey taught art more than 25 years. She was an internationally recognized artist with several paintings in private collections throughout the world. Audrey took a photo of her granddaughters when they lived in Peachtree City, GA. The photo provided the outline for a lithograph which she hand colored with watercolors. Peachtree City Girls Audrey Falk Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSH or FSHD)	Pinkflower by Mark Plocharczyk Mark has an associate’s degree in liberal arts from the Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL, and is certified in computer programming. His hobbies include computer design and public speaking. Mark volunteers for MDA in the Chicago suburbs area. Pinkflower Mark Plocharczyk Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Piraguas by Luis Baez Luis was an information analyst and enjoyed photography, computer graphics and working in mosaics. This artwork, originally a photograph taken during a trip to Spain, combines several techniques to achieve the finished product. Luis was a member of the MDA National Task Force on Public Awareness and received MDA’s Personal Achievement Award for the District of Columbia in 1998 and 2001. Piraguas Luis Baez Polymyositis (PM)	Point Piños Light by Mike Shirk Mike spent 40 years as an advertising copywriter. His hobbies were hiking and distance running. In 2000 Mike began painting and as a watercolorist, he revisits the outdoor landscapes he loves, but with a brush and palette instead of hiking boots and sneakers. Mike’s wife, Elizabeth, also has a painting in the MDA Art Collection and both are members of the San Diego Watercolor Society. Point Piños Light Mike Shirk Inclusion-Body Myositis (IBM)	Pollen Fun by Yvonne Nieves Yvonne worked as a certified Pharmacy Technician for many years. She is currently working toward certification as a medical transcriptionist. Yvonne began concentrating on photography several years ago, and her works have received several awards. She used a Sony Mavica FD200 camera for this photograph. Her other hobbies include gardening, crocheting and writing poetry. Pollen Fun Yvonne Nieves Endocrine Myopathies
Portrait of Jerry Lewis by Chrystal Bates Chrystal has studied commercial and fine art, taught art classes and worked as a medical secretary. Her hobbies include music, sewing and exploring geneology. Portrait of Jerry Lewis Chrystal Bates Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)	Possibilities by Mallory Parton Mallory is attending Central Alabama Community College on a full academic scholarship. She is majoring in psychology; however, one of her favorite hobbies is creating colorful and whimsical artwork. Mallory previously donated two other pieces to the MDA Art Collection and now has had five pieces accepted for the Collection. She also has created works which have been used in MDA’s Direct Mail campaigns and for sponsor awards. Possibilities Mallory Parton Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD)	Prarie Road Homestead by Connie Prater Connie has been actively photographing landscapes and rural scenes for over 10 years and has won several awards for her outstanding photographic work. This photo was taken along Prairie Road near Mountain Home, Idaho. Descendants of the family that built this home still live in the area. Prarie Road Homestead Connie Prater Muscular Dystrophies
Pride of the Yankees by William Ross Bill was a retired high school teacher and author of two plays and a children’s novel. This artwork was inspired by Bill’s interest in baseball and his admiration of Lou Gehrig, who retired from baseball in 1939 after receiving a diagnosis of ALS. Bill painted this work by holding the paintbrush in his mouth. He donated two other paintings to the Art Collection. Pride of the Yankees William Ross Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)	Prince of the Desert by James D'Avanzo James began creating computer art several years ago using the Fractal Design Painter programs, Corel Draw, and Photoshop. He studied design at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield University and the Creative Art Workshop. His work appeared in the “National Association of Desktop Publishers Journal” and “Computer Graphics World” magazine. Prince of the Desert James D'Avanzo Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)	Puffin by Amber Lowenstein-Williams Amber created this artwork at age 15. She graduated from Soldotna High School on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. Amber is a former State Goodwill Ambassador and received the 1994 MDA Personal Achievement Award for Alaska. Puffin Amber Lowenstein-Williams Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)
Pumpkins by Melody Cleary Melody studied art at a local college. She works in acrylics, pastels, mixed media and watercolor. Melody has been painting as a hobby for several years and has received numerous awards. Pumpkins Melody Cleary Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)	Purple Truck by Geraldo Jimenez Gerardo graduated from Sharpstown High School. He began drawing several years ago and usually worked on two pictures at a time. Gerardo’s hobbies included drawing, listening to music and perfecting his Spanish skills. Purple Truck Geraldo Jimenez Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)	Puzzle Pattern Number 2 by Kathleen Zimak Kathleen spent 2½ months creating this optical illusion pattern. The number of shapes is unknown, but each of the 12 colors is used an equal number of times. Her award-winning work has been selected for numerous juried shows including the Moss International Art Exhibit and one of Kathleen’s works is displayed in a private art gallery in England. Puzzle Pattern Number 2 Kathleen Zimak Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Pyramids in Outer Space by Graham LaBella GrahaMGraduated from New Rochelle High School. He used acrylic, oil, pen and ink in his artwork which has been exhibited in an art gallery in Princeton, New Jersey. Graham also was commissioned for private and commercial work including an advertisement for the Henry Viscardi School. Pyramids in Outer Space Graham LaBella Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)	Quiet by Julia Lee Sanders Julia created this artwork at age 8 at an MDA-sponsored children's art workshop on April 24, 1994, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. In addition to creating artwork, Julia enjoys writing and has had several poems published in her college literary magazine. Quiet Julia Lee Sanders Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD)	Quiet Harbor by Mike Shirk Mike spent 40 years as an advertising copywriter. His hobbies were hiking and distance running until the IBM diagnosis in 1996. In 2000 Mike began painting landscapes. No longer able to bend his fingers, he used broad strokes resulting in an impressionistic feel to this work. Mike’s wife, Elizabeth, also has a painting in the MDA Art Collection and both are members of the San Diego Watercolor Society. Quiet Harbor Mike Shirk Inclusion-Body Myositis (IBM)
Race to the Summit by Petr Wronski Petr created this artwork at age 14 at an MDA summer camp held at Camp Florian in Canton, Mass. He studied English and creative writing at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Race to the Summit Petr Wronski Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)	Radnor Lake by Jim Henry Jim received numerous awards for his artwork, including the Mayor's Artist of the Year Award in 1988. His work has been displayed in several galleries throughout Tennessee. Radnor Lake Jim Henry Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD)	Rainbow Colored Flowers by Jonathan Hass Jonathan created this artwork at age 11. He’s been drawing and painting for several years. As a student, Jonathan enjoyed math and drama, and learning about the presidents. Rainbow Colored Flowers Jonathan Hass Mitochondrial Myopathy
Rainbow Love by Alyssa Schwartzenburg Alyssa has been drawing and painting most of her life. She attended MDA summer camp at Rainbow Camp every summer. Alyssa has received awards in school art shows and had one piece exhibited in a local gallery. In addition to creating artwork, Alyssa enjoys traveling and shopping. She graduated from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette in May 2012. Rainbow Love Alyssa Schwartzenburg Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)	Ray of Hope by Dustin Borlack Dustin created this collage at age three at an MDA-sponsored children's art workshop held May 15, 1993, at the Detroit Institute of Art. Ray of Hope Dustin Borlack Endocrine Myopathies	Red Birds in Winter by Norma Margeson Norma enjoyed painting for more than 30 years. She won numerous awards at local festivals and county fairs. Her hobbies included reading, traveling and enjoying her six grandchildren. Red Birds in Winter Norma Margeson Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Red Rose Ascending by Maxine Meyer Maxine attended Arizona State University and discovered a life long love of dancing and the arts. Signing her paintings “Tomax,” Maxine produced oils for her friends, family and collectors in several states. One of her paintings depicts the ASU Sun Devil football team and was donated to the Sun Devil Stadium Hall of Fame. “Red Rose Ascending” was completed just before Maxine passed away. Red Rose Ascending Maxine Meyer Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)	Red Wolf by Jack Maccoleman Because of his love of the outdoors, Jack specialized in paintings of wildlife. He won numerous awards for his artwork and had two one-man shows at the Rotunda in Dearborn, MI. Red Wolf Jack Maccoleman Tarui Disease (Phosphofructokinase Deficiency)	Remembering by Rosalie Toth Rosalie is interested in sculpting, watercolor painting, pastels and ceramics along with oil painting. She is retired from real estate sales, and does volunteer work for MDA and her church. Remembering Rosalie Toth Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)
Rest Stop at MDA Camp by Maureen Raisch Maureen enjoys depicting scenes of campers at MDA summer camp. This is her second camp drawing in the Collection. Maureen has taken art classes at Meramec College in St. Louis. Besides drawing, her hobbies include cross-stitch and playing the guitar. Rest Stop at MDA Camp Maureen Raisch Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)	Return Me to My Special Place by Gene Ashby Gene transformed his love of nature into intricately detailed wood carvings of wildlife. For many years he had a gallery, "Waterfowl by Gene," in Stockton and was active in the city's Arts Council. Return Me to My Special Place Gene Ashby Muscular Dystrophies	Rhinoceros, Kenya, 2001 by Angelo Sciulli Angelo became a nature and wildlife photographer and writer in 1997. A year later he received a diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), but has continued to travel and publish marvelous works. His magazine photo credits include Nature Photographer, Natural History and MDA’s Quest. Rhinoceros, Kenya, 2001 Angelo Sciulli Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

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