The artwork of 17-year-old Brandon Sprock, son of Luverne High School graduate Sara (Schomacker) Sprock, is on display at the Museum of Visual Materials, Sioux Falls, through April 30.
In December the South Dakota Arts Council and Arts South Dakota put out a call for art to be created by students across the state of South Dakota.
Sprock, a student at LifeScape Specialty School in Sioux Falls and a George, Iowa, native, was one of those artists to provide artwork in hopes of being featured in the South Dakota Arts Advocacy Day at the South Dakota State Legislature.
Sprock’s artwork, “Splat,” was one of those chosen from more than 200 submissions and was presented to the State Legislature as evidence of the importance of the arts in the education of youth.
Sprock has faced many challenges in navigating the world as a person living with autism, but the art room has been an exception, according to his mother.
“In the art room it does not matter that there may be communication barriers or learning challenges — the arts have allowed him to create, express, live, and succeed in his own unique and vibrant way,” she said.
“In the art room Brandon has no difficulty; he creates from his heart, full of life and carefree — which shows so much more of his amazing personality.”
When asked if Brandon wanted to participate in this opportunity to create for the South Dakota Legislature, she said there was no question. “Any chance he can get to splatter paint with his teacher, he will take it.”
She said her son’s artwork is “created with honesty and joy, and truly a representation of his beautiful spirit.”
Sprock’s artwork was featured on a custom notecard that was presented to legislators in the South Dakota Legislature at the Feb. 10 Arts Advocacy Day in Pierre.
The same artwork has been chosen to hang on display as a part of the ArtAbility art show featured at the Museum of Visual Materials from March 1 through April 30.
An artist reception was Friday, April 8, when the artists shared their artwork with family, friends and supporters.
Brandon is the grandson of LeRoy and Glenda Schomacker, Luverne.
For more information about Arts Advocacy Day or ArtAbility see the following links:
http://www.sdarts.org/arts-advocacy-day.html
https://www.siouxfalls.org/en/city-attorney/relations/artability