World-renowned tenor soloist Carlos Seise has never seen children with disabilities so well-behaved and to discover that creating art has that kind of effect surprises him.
This Grand Haven resident recently visited the Grand Rapids office of Artists Creating Together (ACT) to meet with Executive Director Michele Suchovsky. During his visit, around 15 children with disabilities were there painting.
“I was amazed to see how focused the kids were while painting,” says Seise. “I never thought art would help like that.”
Seise runs an organization called Evangelical Rural Community Center that educates around 1,200 children per year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A small number of these children have disabilities and he says it's often difficult to get them to focus. Now that he's visited ACT and witnessed how art can make such an impact, he's impressed.
"It was so much inspiration to my soul," he says. "It's proof that art can help your brain."
Seise started the Evangelical Rural Community Center 21 years ago to give rural children in Argentina a chance at an education. He says the program has been a success as many of the graduates now work as doctors, lawyers, and in other professional fields. Education changed Seise's life, and that's why he started the organization.
"If you want to change a nation, you have to start with education," he says.
Now Seise is helping children in West Michigan by performing a benefit concert called "Magic in the Making." The March 8 performance at Spring Lake High School will benefit ACT in Ottawa County.
ACT is dedicated to connecting people with disabilities with art, artists, and art projects. They serve more than 8,500 children, youths, and adults per year and their art classes are open to anyone in West and Northwest Michigan.
Prior to Seise's solo performance on March 8, the Pidgeon Creek Shakespeare Company will entertain the audience with a theatrical performance of Shakespeare's work.
Seise has traveled the world singing solo and performing the leading tenor role in numerous operas. His complete bio and videos can be found on his website.
ACT is looking for sponsors for the "Magic in the Making" event, and volunteers are always needed at ACT, as well as cash or in-kind donations such as art supplies. If you'd like to become involved or attend the March 8 show, here's some information to get you started:
- Become an event sponsor by contacting Michele Suchovsky at 616-885-5866 or via
email.-
Donate cash or art supplies to ACT.
Source: Tenor Carlos Seise
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor
Images provided by Artists Creating Together and Carlos Seise.