Gallatin student painted by professional artist in recognition of Autism Awareness
Apr 24, 2019 | Community News, School News |
Olivia Prindle, a freshman at Gallatin High School, recently had her pictured painted by Laurent Dareau, an award-winning, French-born artist. Dareau, now an American citizen living in Florida, has been involved with many charities, including children’s hospitals, guide dogs for the blind, tributes to 9-1-1, and most recently, in honor of firefighters. Olivia’s painting is in recognition of April as Autism Awareness Month.
While Gallatin R-5 Art Teacher Tammy Kliewer was at a FITTEAM training event for her second job in West Palm Beach, FL, she and her team were checking out the local art galleries so Ms. Kliewer could show her R-5 art students the local artwork when she returned to Gallatin.
She asked one of the artists, Mr. Dareau, if she could take a picture of his artwork, explaining to him that she was an art teacher. He then told her of his idea to paint people with autism to auction them off for a charity to raise money for Autism Awareness.
“I immediately thought of Olivia since she has a passion for art and is very talented,” Ms. Kliewer says. “When I got back from my trip I contacted Olivia’s father and with his approval we worked together with the school yearbook staff to take some wonderful candid shots of Olivia, from which Mr. Dareau created two oil paintings for the Autism Awareness Charity.”
Olivia got her first look at the 24×30 painting last Wednesday and was delighted with it.
Olivia and her brother Drew both have autism. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today.
Olivia, the daughter of Steven Prindle of Gallatin, also has a sister Elizabeth and a brother Ethan.
“Olivia is an excellent artist in her own right,” says Laurie Roll, Special Education Paraprofessional. “She especially likes doing animation and voice-overs.”
The Gallatin middle school and high school Spring Art Show and Band Concert is at 6 p.m. on May 1, where you can view a life-size print of Olivia’s oil painting. The artist, Mr. Dareau, donated the print to the Prindle family to thank them for allowing him to paint her, and the two original paintings will be auctioned off at the Autism Awareness Charity event.
Olivia Prindle is pictured with Special Education Paraprofessional Laurie Roll with a print of the portrait done by Laurent Dareau. The print will be kept for an art show scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 1 at GHS, and then Olivia will get to take it home.
