ISAAK

There are many things you may not notice about Isaak the first time you meet him.  For instance, you may not know that he is in the middle of three-year-long treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  You may not be able to tell that he hates taking liquid medicine, or that he hardly flinches anymore when he’s getting his blood drawn.  But what you will notice are his eyes—crystal blue-green and dancing with sly curiosity and certain creativity.

Arts For Life Asheville teacher, Annie Rogers, knows these eyes well.  After all, she has worked with Isaak at her art table each week from many months. She has admired his subtle wit and unique style, his diligence, and his utter teachability. 

Isaak is a child who knows what he likes.  And when he finds something he likes, he sticks to it.  For two months last winter, he created enough folded symmetrical paintings to fill a gallery.  Then he became focused on cars, and he drew picture upon picture of vintage Fords and Chevies.  Lately he has been drawing animals and people.  On top of all this, he has created, folded, and raced a whole fleet of colorful paper airplanes.

Perhaps what is most telling about seven-year-old Isaak is the pride he takes in his work.  No matter what project he is working on, he always works slowly and gives great attention to each little detail. He will spend hours on a project if you let him, and he has saved every piece of artwork he’s ever made with Arts For Life.

The AFL art table has been a haven for Isaak since those first weeks after diagnosis. He counts on his Arts For Life teachers to help make his clinic visits positive, enjoyable, and educational.