By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
The third annual Inspired by Ryan Art Fair, held at Union Grove Elementary School last Saturday, scored another big gain for the Midwest Athletes against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund.
Inspired by Ryan Luxem, a Union Grove boy who lost his battle with leukemia in December 2010, the art fair has become an annual tradition in Union Grove.
The event is organized by Ryan Luxem’s parents, Matt and Amy Luxem, along with four local women whose children were friends with Ryan.
Amy Luxem said this year’s fair raised just over $3,000, and all proceeds will once again be donated to the MACC Fund.
Each year, the number of donations has gone up, with about 600 art and craft items donated this year.
“I think word is getting out,” Amy said. Donors of all ages contributed a wide range of items that sold for a dollar and up. The Union Grove Elementary School large gym had rows and rows of rectangular tables, filled with artwork ranging from duct tape wallets to fine art paintings.
There was also jewelry, pottery, clay items, photography, note cards, scarves, mittens, hats and more. Two long rows of folding chairs displayed handmade pillows, blankets and quilts.
There was something for everyone! “It was fun looking at all the stuff that came in,” Amy said.
But of all the wonderful donations, there’s one that stands out in her mind.
Amy told the story of a student who attends St. Joe’s High School in Kenosha. (Students at St. Joe’s have donated hand made items to the art fair for the last three years).
According to the student’s teacher, he was having a hard time coming up with an idea for the art fair.
Then, one day he came to school with an idea he said came to him when he woke up that morning.
His resulting project (pictured above) was a large, glass jar, filled with colorful, small origami cranes.
That student did not know Ryan or his background, Amy said, and when asked, he told his teacher he hadn’t visited Ryan’s website.
His teacher replied that his idea had come from Ryan. Amy explained that her son not only liked to make the origami cranes, but he would display them in similar fashion.
Ryan Luxem loved art.
He enjoyed creating all kinds of crafts – especially origami creations. The hobby kept him occupied during the long hours in the hospital when he was getting treatment.
In fact, Ryan made so much origami that he began to sell it, specifying that all proceeds go to the MACC fund. Ryan raised $2,700 for the charity before his life was cut short by leukemia.
Family and friends continue to honor his wishes to donate to the charity, with the annual Inspired by Ryan Art Fair.
Last Saturday’s event was a visibly emotional day for Amy, who said she was humbled by all the community support. “So much goes into an event like this and we have had an enormous amount of support,” Amy said.
She is grateful to all the donors, including local schools that got involved with donations from children, local businesses that displayed art fair flyers, the RIverport Chorus and other musicians who provided entertainment, Wilmot and Union Grove high school students who volunteered at the event, local citizens who donated supplies for the make-and-take craft area, and everyone who came to the event itself.
It feels good … a little overwhelming,” Amy said. “But I know Ryan would be thrilled.
For more information about Ryan Luxem and the annual Inspired by Ryan Art Fair, visit: www.inspiredbyryan.webs.com.
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