Brush of Giftedness

This is a collaborative book of original poetry and painted artistic interpretations of famous art. Original poetry is composed by arts educator Elizabeth Michele Cantine, author of Graceful Gratitude - A Book of Holiday Graces. Artwork is by Heidi Dong, a gifted artist with autism. The main goal of this unique and enlightening book is to show that those with autism, Down syndrome, and other challenges do not need to vocalize - the arts validate their volumes of verses. This book highlights the gifts and geniuses of past and present artists. Brush of Giftedness is for those who recognize, appreciate, and inspire the giftedness in themselves and others.

Author: Heidi Dong, Elizabeth Michele Cantine
Publisher: 4arts Education
Published: 03/25/2020
Pages: 54
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.04lbs
Size: 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.25d
ISBN: 9781732116313

About the Author
Dong, Heidi: - Heidi Dong was born in Torrance, California on January 14, 1991. Her loving Korean parents wondered how their baby with autism would blossom. In a short while, the answer was clear. At age two, she showed no interest in toys or games, preferring art supplies and canvases. She continued her passion for art through school years and beyond. She also began dance lessons at an early stage where her additional artistic abilities were recognized. During high school, she joined Elizabeth Cantine's Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA) Dance Program for students with special needs. Heidi takes these weekly classes at the Palos Verdes Performing Arts Conservatory under the instruction of current director Julie Hast. There, she is able to study many genres of dance and to be assisted by the staff and one-on-one student mentors. She continues to study ballet privately with Liz. In the bi-annual performances at the Norris Theatre, Heidi's performing talents shine in the group dances and in her spotlight ballet solos. Through her weekday Easterseals Program, she works one day a week at Cabrillo Elementary School where she assists the staff making charts, graphs, and sample patterns. Her printing is more refined than typed font! Heidi also enjoys ICAN summer camp activities including horseback riding, swimming, and hiking. Year-round, she participates in speech and dance classes. She is currently studying art at the Exceptional Children Foundation's Art Center and summer studio. Heidi is able to interpret paintings and photographs as well as replicate most ballet variations that interest her. Her artistic giftedness is truly so beautiful, so beautiful...Cantine, Elizabeth Michele: - "Elizabeth (Liz) Michele Cantine, a graduate from UCLA, has spent her career of over 50 years as a classroom and dance educator. She has written and presented many units integrating the fine arts into the K-12 curriculum. She was an LA Music Center Arts Education Bravo Award Finalist and has served as President of California Dance Educators Association. As Dance Drill Team Coach at Dana Middle School in San Pedro, California, she discovered and taught the awe-inspiring Misty Copeland, first African-American Principal Ballet Dancer at American Ballet Theatre. After retiring from Los Angeles Unified School District, Liz was the Outreach Coordinator for the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Musical Theatre West, and the Norris Theatre. Later, Liz became the Dance and PE mentor in Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. She also had the opportunity to teach dance in Adaptive PE at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. The students and parents motivated her to begin an afterschool dance program at Palos Verdes Performing Arts (PVPA) Conservatory for students with special needs. Recognizing the incredible talent of these enthusiastic students, she called the program Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) - life changing for all! She continues to teach privately to some RWA students and group classes to fellow adult dancers. As a former professional dancer and choreographer, she performs with her adult Tap Happy troupe at local and senior venues. She also dances in Anne Destabelle's Pennyroyal Players who donate all profits to charities including RWA. Recently, PVPA recognized Liz with their first In-House Celebrity Award for her community service. With thankful heart, her first published book Graceful Gratitude - A Book of Holiday Graces consists of her original poems for major holidays plus a week of daily graces. Now, she is very excited about her second book and the opportunity to share her poetry and to showcase Heidi's artistic abilities in Brush of Giftedness."

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