The Artist
My name is Leanne Marie Lasofsky and this is my … story.
I grew up in Billerica, Massachusetts and I am 38 years old. I am confined to an electric wheelchair because I was born with Cerebral Palsy. My muscles are stiff, and I wear braces on my legs and one of my arms.
During the day, I go to Minute Man Arc in Concord, MA where I am supported through their Employment Services program. I have learned a lot there. In the past I supervised the janitorial team that cleans the building, and I also worked at the Concord Municipal Light plant stuffing envelopes with customer bills.
I was also involved in the Arc Artisans program at Minute Man Arc. Six of us created art to sell in the community. We sold our original art as well as note and holiday cards to support ourselves and our program. I like doing art because it takes some of my frustrations away. Most of all, I like to show how I am feeling inside. Even though it is hard for me to use my hands, I can still use my heart to paint pictures and to write poetry.
In 1990, I received an award for my artwork at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. Eunice Kennedy Shriver presented the award for Outstanding Involvement in the 200th Anniversary of the White House Art Exhibition. It was signed by President George Bush.
Recently, John Pagliassotti, the president of Fujita Property Guam, invited me to be the featured artist in his building’s art gallery after seeing a photograph of one of my paintings. John and his partners wanted to display the work of professional and amateur artists and photographers from around the globe. His building is the largest office building in Guam and tenants include the Consulates of Japan, Philippines and Palau, several Government of Guam agencies, the Bank of Guam and several other noteworthy companies, so this invitation was very exciting!”