One of the best things about attending the Biggest Week in American Birding has to be all of the wonderful new people you meet. Sometimes, a person really touches your life. While working at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory‘s Information booth some of the Birdfreaks met an artist named Kami Brough.
If you visited the BSBO, you may have met her at her Imagine Art booth. She was selling art but this was no ordinary work. All the pieces were created by adults with developmental disabilities from Riverview Industries in nearby Oak Harbor, Ohio. This local business helps people with disabilities find work and receive fair wages for their abilities.
The purpose of RVI, Inc. is to provide a meaningful work experience and quality of life for the benefit of adults with developmental disabilities.
Kami Brough – Imagine Art
Kami is an amazing person. Her face lit up as she described teaching and working with these adults to create sellable pieces of art. I think art is very therapeutic and believe that Imagine Art is a perfect way to help these adults express themselves and be creative. I sincerely hope she will be back next year to promote local business, people with disabilities and BIRDS!
Baltimore Oriole, barn quilt style!
A beautiful Blue Jay