Paint A Miracle Art Studio received the Arts and Cultural Award at this year’s Fifth Annual Sunrise Pinnacle Awards. The annual award celebrates 23 winners that have been nominated by the community as the greater Rochester area’s most successful and philanthropic individuals, nonprofit organizations and businesses. In its fifth year, Sunrise Pinnacle has become one of the most encompassing and prestigious award ceremonies in the Metro Detroit area.
“We are exceptionally honored to win this award, said Shelly Propson Tyshka, Studio Director. “Ten years ago, before Paint a Miracle became a reality, we met with someone well versed in nonprofits and fundraising. He advised us to pick Rochester as the location for our art studio because he knew the community would embrace it. The residents and businesses of Rochester have been enthusiastic and supportive. We truly feel that we have a home here.”
Paint a Miracle was founded by Dr. Dale Propson, his wife, Annie Propson, and their four children after a family tragedy that left Propson with a traumatic brain injury. A successful pediatric dentist, Propson was hit by a drunk driver in May 1985. Due to the consequences of a traumatic brain injury and vision loss, he never practiced dentistry again.
In 1995, Dale fortuitously met Helen Cunniff, a local artist who changed his life. Helen not only taught Dale how to overcome obstacles of vision, mobility and attention span through months of art lessons, she also helped him to rediscover his dignity. His abilities improved with time, and noticing his talents.
After the death of Cunniff in 2000, Propson and his family decided to carry on her vision and offer support to individuals needing the therapy of art in their lives. In 2002, Paint A Miracle was founded with the mission to enrich the quality of life for children and adults living with disabilities through their participation in the visual arts.
In addition to offering fine art classes, Paint a Miracle exhibits and sells our artists’ work in its gallery and in local public venues. Ultimately, Paint a Miracle’s desired outcome is that its artists and the community learn to appreciate the value each person adds to this world, regardless of physical, cognitive or emotional challenges.
“We would like to dedicate this award to all of our Paint a Miracle artists, for they are the inspiration and heart of our organization,” said Propson Tyshka. “It is through their challenges and struggles that they model what it means to persevere, to create, and to laugh in the face of difficulties.”
Paint A Miracle is located at 4000 Water Street in Downtown Rochester, MI 48307. For more information, call 248-652-2702 or visit www.paintamiracle.org.
