Shawn Belanger likes to get on stage at Options and belt out the odd tune on Karaoke night but his passion for art is in the pencil.
Belanger has autism and doesn't communicate much verbally but his art shows an amazing eye and hand for detail.
His parents, Greg and Nancy Belanger, had concerns when Shawn was young.
“When he started in grade one he didn't like to hold a pencil or draw or just do anything and that was one of our concerns about how he was gonna handle school,” said Nancy. “As he got better and better my abilities didn't improve like his did so he would want to do it with me and then he would erase everything we drew together and he would draw it himself.”
The Belangers are happy to see their son enjoy his art and he is beginning to generate income with it.
“We had no idea where it would take him to or us ourselves as well, because we have no absolutely no art background in our family so this is all very new to us,” said Greg.
Kathy Stone is a program supervisor at Options, a place for people with disabilities.
“His smile drew my attention and he was just so happy and it was just so nice to be able to work with Shawn, go out in the community with Shawn and just being involved with Shawn, said Stone.
Dean Svoboda is executive director of the Autism Aspergers Friendship Society of Calgary and says he is inspired by Belanger’s dedication to his art and the things he'll do to promote it.
“He wouldn't go on a plane to New York, but it's for his art. He wouldn't go on a TV show or on TV cameras and talk but it's for his art. You can see that pride in him,” said Svoboda.
Belanger has a show in New York in June and has a number of others interested in showcasing his art.
For brightening the world with his art and his smile, Shawn Belanger is our Inspiring Albertan this week.
See more of Shawn Belanger's work HERE.
