Renowned Fairhope Artist B’Beth Weldon Is Invited to Visit Beijing to Globally Expand Gifted Masterpieces

Taken from: Renowned Fairhope Artist B’Beth Weldon Is Invited to Visit Beijing to Globally Expand Gifted Masterpieces

Since 2010, Gifted Masterpieces has raised awareness and provided inspiration to those with special needs or intellectual challenges, as well as critically ill patients, their families, and support groups. The Gifted Masterpieces painting workshops were originally designed to give special needs children and their families the opportunity to paint with artist B’Beth Weldon; yet due to their success, the workshops have evolved and are now available to people of all ages with intellectual or physical challenges. Among other numerous organizations in the Southeast, the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute and Thomas Hospital have conducted workshops on site, inviting Weldon to create works of art with patients, their physicians, caregivers and family.

Through the introduction of Glenn M. Roswal, Ph.D., Weldon has received and accepted the invitation from Beijing Sport University of China to present Gifted Masterpieces and to facilitate the workshop during her visit. Dr. Roswal is known worldwide for his programs, which combine sports and people with disabilities. Dr. Roswal, professor emeritus and past president of SHAPE America, has been a committed volunteer and advocate of the Special Olympics for 40 years and has led conferences and seminars in over 30 countries. Dr. Roswal is credited with introducing Weldon to Camp ASCCA and the Beijing Sport University, which is taking the Gifted Masterpieces program globally. “Painting involves fine motor muscle control and mental processes similar to those used in mastering sport skills,” says Roswal. “Gifted Masterpieces helps people with disabilities develop those skills.”

Most recently, Weldon was invited to conduct sessions at Camp ASCCA (Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults), a nationally recognized leader in therapeutic recreation. To date, Weldon has completed three workshops at Camp ASCCA, including sessions with dignitaries visiting from Beijing, and special needs children and adults at the camp.