Achievements

                                                               

 

 

​

            Artist Highlight: Alex​/DJ Sparky

​

                                                   More than two million adults in the United States have

                                                   an intellectual or developmental disability, but of that

                                                   population, only 15% have paid employment.

                                                   Recognizing the many talents of the artists at Open Hearts

                                                   Art Center, the organization launched its Supported

                                                   Employment Program in 2016. The program focuses on

                                                   micro enterprise, as it aids the artists in writing a business

                                                   plan and tapping into funding and resources to start their

                                                   own small business.

​

                                                   Alex is one of the artists who participates in the Supported

                                                   Employment Program at Open Hearts. Through the

                                                   program, he received training to become a DJ for parties

                                                   and special events. He said that he never imagined having

his own DJ business was a possibility, but “because I like music and technology the directors asked me if it might be something I’d enjoy.

​

Doing business as DJ Sparky, Alex used an online crowd sourcing campaign called Go Fund Me to raise almost $1,000 to purchase the equipment he needed for his business, and he was hired to work many events already. Open Hearts staff member, Tim Slusher, has worked with Alex every step of the way to develop and implement his new career. Tim has helped Alex make connections with other local DJs. “Tim and I contacted Mitch Fortune with Asheville Remix Weddings, and he let me watch him DJ a wedding,” Alex recalls. Mitch also later surprised him with a gift which was a Behringer mixer, an important piece of DJ equipment.

​

​

During time spent at Open Hearts Art Center, it is evident that Alex is always looking for ways to help his peers, and he carries this helpful nature into his work as a DJ. “I feel good that I can play music that people enjoy, and I can make people happy. I have a gig coming up for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Music is some of the last memories they keep, and when they hear the music, they remember.” Tim commented, “Supported Employment has given Alex a purpose,” and it seems this purpose is to help his listeners by spreading joy.

​

Saturday, March 24th, 2018, is Inclusion Saturday in North Carolina, “a day to support the

businesses that promote inclusive hiring practices for those living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.” Open Hearts Art Center is opening its gallery from 11 AM to 5 PM in celebration of Inclusion Saturday, and Alex, aka DJ Sparky, will make a special appearance from (find out time). At Open Hearts Art Center, our mission is to empower people with disabilities to reach their full potential through the arts. Your donations and support allow us to carry out this mission on a daily basis.