Article by John Sanders, professional journalist
The humanitarian project Focus Comic will host a live painting exhibit and artwork showcase from 6 to 10 pm on Friday, September 4, in downtown Phoenix for the upcoming First Friday event. Focus Comic founder Yvonne Wan will present her Devin Booker Phoenix Suns artwork, and Rylan, her 7-year-old intern, will join her and present his own Phoenix Suns art. Their artwork and limited-edition posters will be for sale to raise funds for the Focus Comic art camp and its “Legends” event. The group seeks sponsors and donations to aid in its work, which honors 30 heroes, both living and fallen.
Rylan is among many children with autism whom Wan has taught how to draw and paint. Her Focus Comic initiative provides children in various school districts with free art resources and knowledge to better prepare them for the future. Rylan was also tutored by Nolan, a Focus Comic art intern and Freshman at the Maricopa Institute of Technology.
“First off, I would like to say that I had a lot of fun informing Rylan about basketball today; his artwork was very impressive,” Nolan said. “I enjoy my part in Focus, where I assist in the different events … and introduce students to sports to inspire them to join the immersive art programs.”
Nolan helps Focus Comic with logistics, hospitality, teaching, event setup, and administrative work. He said working at Focus Comic has provided him with multiple opportunities to help people.
“I am a very social person, and I enjoy connecting with the youth because I get to see the world through their eyes,” Nolan said. “I also enjoy teaching them about the world we live in because I feel like it gives them a head start in growing up; that way, they wouldn’t be confused when new experiences occur. Finally, I find giving them feedback and encouragement with their skills and abilities very important in their paths to success.”
Both Wan and Nolan worked together in Rylan’s education, where Wan showed him how to draw digitally, with Booker as a reference, while Nolan described how basketball works – its rules and how to dribble a ball. When Rylan’s class time concluded, Wan gave him a Phoenix Suns T-shirt, and limited-edition prints of his artwork were created. These prints will be sold at First Friday.
Laura, Rylan’s mother, has appreciated Focus Comic’s efforts in teaching Rylan and finds that the group provides a beneficial opportunity for youth with autism.
“As a band teacher, I love seeing a product come to life,” Laura said. “Watching Rylan create something from scratch and seeing how proud he is when it’s finished is why this program is so important for him.”
She explained that Rylan attended the previous First Friday with Focus Comic and that both the event and his teaching since then have left a significant impact on him.
“This class has given him confidence to try new things and explore an interest he may not have been able to learn more about without this program,” Laura said. “After his First Friday event, he came home glowing, and couldn’t stop talking about how many of his pictures sold and how many pictures he took with people. Hearing that come from my shy little boy was amazing. So many people instantly make assumptions about your child when you mention a disability, so this event showed people that autism is just a different way of learning and interacting with people.”
Rylan also expressed appreciation for Focus Comic and is looking forward to his next artwork debut at First Friday.
“I really liked the class because it was fun and entertaining,” Rylan said. “I got to learn how to dribble a basketball.”
Focus Comic would like to extend a thank you to Retail Therapy AZ and the Arizona Center for the opportunity at First Friday, as well as Costco for sponsoring the showcase.
First Friday Date: Friday 4th September, 6-10pm
Address: Arizona Center: 455 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
See you at First Friday!