Through a grant from Lane Arts Council, KindTree - Autism Rocks is able to make grants to artists with autism to assist them in the creation of their art. Funds are used for pen and pencils, pastel and oil paints, software, art classes and more. These supplies go a long way to encouage artistic expression for people on the spectrum.

This year's grants go out to Stephen Peeler and Leah Demonia, both regular participants in the KindTree Artists Guild. Newcomer Rhonda Rauch of Springfield also recieved a grant this year. Congratulations to these talented people. We look forward to your entries in "Autism Artism 2011", premiering this April 2nd at the Pizza Research Institute in the Whitaker neighborhood. Samples of their work can be seen at www.kindtree.org.

Each year with grants from Lane Arts Council, KindTree provides support for artists with autism both through supplies and marketing opportunities. These artists produce unique and expressive images they share with pride. KindTree then offers reprints and notecards of these images for sale, benefiting both the artist, who shares in the proceeds, and the community, who is offered an opportunity to increase their understanding of people living on the autism spectrum, people numbering 1 in 91 in our area's schools.

Entries for the juried "Autism Artism 2011" show are welcome, with a January 30 deadline. Call 541 521 7208 or e-mail art@kindtree.org for more information.