By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
Ryan Luxem was a young boy who loved art.
After a difficult 4-1/2 year battle with cancer, Ryan died in late 2010 before he could finish what he had started.
Now others are inspired to help continue the charitable causes that Ryan championed while alive.
Ryan’s parents are Matt and Amy Luxem, Union Grove.
According to Amy, her son was intrigued by what other artisans were making and how they made them.
She said that Ryan loved being creative with painting, molding and drawing, andwas especially talented in the art of origami.
Ryan made and sold hundreds of his origami pieces to benefit a number of causes important to him, including the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes against Childhood Cancer).
When Ryan realized he wouldn’t be able to raise any more money for the MACC fund, he became upset, said Amy.
“We assured him,” Amy said, “that he did a great job (raising money) and that we would continue in some way, shape or form.”
On Saturday, March 24, the first Inspired by Ryan Arts Fair will be held at Union Grove Elementary School, where Ryan attended school.
“We are incorporating Ryan’s love of art into a way to raise money for MACC,” Amy said.
The arts fair will be truly unique in that it will feature donations from artisans from all over southeast Wisconsin.
A committee is seeking donations of a piece of art or craft item for the cause.
Artists can also include a statement about how a child/teenager with cancer has inspired the art, or they may donate an item in honor or memory of a young cancer patient.
Amy said word has been getting out and donations are coming in.
She said this arts fair will be different, in that there will be lots of “one-of-a-kind” items for sale.
Committee member Debbie Rueber said donations so far range from photography and painting to knitting and embroidery. “Whatever people think art is,” she said.
For people who don’t consider themselves artists, they can still help by donating time to volunteer before or at the arts fair, or by coming and shopping.
Rueber’s son attended school with Ryan,as did other committee members’ children. They are all working together with Ryan’s family to reach one goal.
“We want to honor Ryan and make a donation in his honor to the MACC Fund,” Rueber said.
Amy knows her son would have been excited about the Inspired by Ryan Arts Fair.
“He enjoyed arts and craft fairs – he liked looking at things,” she said.
No doubt, he’d also be thrilled about the continued donations to the MACC Fund.
For more information or to donate, log onto: http://inspiredbyryan.webs.com or call Debbie Rueber at (262) 880-0464.
Donations can be dropped off at Union Grove Elementary School or Wilmot High School, or contact Rueber to arrange for a pick up.
If you go:
What: Inspired by Ryan Arts Fair
Date: Saturday, March 24
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Union Grove Elementary School, 1745 Mildrum St., Union Grove
-
-
-
-
-