KINGSTON — Christian Ochs, a 10 year-old from Conyngham, sat with his mother and observed a customer going through different bins of his vibrant crayons.
Ochs and his family spent their Saturday morning selling “Christian’s Crayons” at the Artistic Expressions: Inclusive Art and Craft Fair in the Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston.
The third yearly occasion, supported by Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health and Developmental Services, showcases artists and groups while honoring Developmental Disabilities Awareness month.
“Christian has autism, so we began this as a fundraiser for S.A.F.E.,” his mom, Jennifer, said. “Through this, Christian learns life skills such as using the oven, and we simply aim to encourage an inclusive community.”
Christian and his family sell the homemade crayons to support various groups. Currently, profits are aiding Parenting Autism United. While his parents help with unwrapping crayons, Christian assists by breaking them into pieces and placing them in different molds before they go in the oven to complete his new, colorful creations.
More than 17 vendors took part in the fair this year, as per Amy Tomkoski, Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health and Developmental Services deputy administrator.
The group provides assistance to individuals living independently as well as residential services, day and work programs.
Diverse community artists and groups exhibited their works during the event, including painting, jewelry, ceramics, and more. Attendees were able to get a coffee and a snack from Pittston-based Coffee Inclusive, a division of NEPA Inclusive, which offers employment opportunities to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, as well as those on the autism spectrum.
“We wanted to hold an art show so they could sell their pieces and be part of the community — and since the month focuses on inclusion, we wanted to include community artists so we encompass everyone and raise awareness,” Tomkoski added.
On the other side of the room, S.A.F.E. (Supporting Autism and Families Everywhere) volunteer Andrew Knipfer and his son were busy displaying various canvas works and colored prints from their members.
He mentioned that organizing events like this is valuable because it allows local groups and nonprofits to exhibit not only what each contributes to their communities, but also what individual members of the groups are capable of. Apart from art programs, S.A.F.E. also provides music and swimming lessons, as well as a family summer camp.
Knipfer added that many of the groups participating in the event collaborate with each other regularly for the overall improvement of the community they serve.
“We all cooperate for this common purpose of taking care of the families and individuals with autism,” he explained. “It’s not about what one group does and another one doesn’t, it's about what all the groups are doing for the autistic community. And that’s truly what's important.”
