May 10, 2004 --- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Acclaimed British artist, Mackenzie Thorpe will share his triumph over dyslexia with Chartwell Students
Acclaimed British artist, Mackenzie Thorpe will share his triumph over dyslexia during a workshop for dyslexic students at the Chartwell School in Seaside on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 from 1:15-2:50
Internationally renowned artist Mackenzie Thorpe has been touring galleries throughout the U.S., Australia, Japan and Great Britain, raising money and spreading his message of hope, love and joy to learning disabled and disadvantaged children.
Thorpe’s exhibition of original pastels and sculpture will be on display at Carmel’s Hanson Gallery this coming July, but the artist will be making a special trip to the Peninsula to host a workshop for the students of Chartwell School. Chartwell students are sure to relate personally to and be inspired by the struggles Thorpe experienced in school as an undiagnosed dyslexic. Student artwork created during this workshop will hang at the Hanson Galley during Thorpe’s exhibit on July 24. The Hanson Gallery has partnered with Chartwell School to raise funds and share Thorpe’s talents and story of hope.
Mackenzie Thorpe works with children’s charities in cities hosting his exhibitions, telling his own story of “triumph over adversity” to learning disabled and disadvantaged children. Through his art enrichment programs, Thorpe works one-on-one with children to inspire them to pursue their dreams. These children relate to his experience of overcoming dyslexia and economic hardship, and see his success as hope for overcoming their own adversities.
Mackenzie’s humble childhood began in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, an industrial town in Northern England best known as one of the locations included in the film Billy Elliot. Similar to the film’s story, Thorpe had to overcome tremendous odds to pursue his artistic dreams.
Thorpe’s early days in Middlesbrough were plagued by his undiagnosed dyslexia, a series of manual labor jobs, long stretches of unemployment and finally a failed suicide attempt. A friend realized Mackenzie’s drawing talents and encouraged him to go to the local college for art classes. Twenty years later he has become one of the contemporary art world’s brightest stars.
Mackenzie Thorpe’s images of hope, love and joy have been collected by heads of state, celebrities, galleries and collectors worldwide. Notable devotees include British Conservative Party Leader William Hague and The Rolling Stone’s Bill Wyman. Recent commissions include a series of paintings for Elton John’s Aids Foundation, and an original work for Princess Anne’s Save the Children Fund.
Thorpe, who struggled to finish school, received an Honorary Degree of Fine Art from Teesside University, Middlesbrough in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the world of contemporary art. Additional accolades include being named the Fine Art Trade Guild’s Best Selling Artist of 2000.
Mackenzie Thorpe donates a portion of sales from his exhibitions to help fund critical children’s charities in communities representing his work. Recent charity donations and art enrichment seminars include: The Rhineland Center, PS77 and PS198 in New York City, The Hope for the Children Foundation in Sydney, Japan Dyslexia Society – EDGE, The Tochigi School for the Handicapped, San Francisco Suicide Prevention, C.P.Y. The Community Partnership for Youth, Monterey, California, The Chartwell School in Monterey, California, The Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, The Greenwood School in Jacksonville, Florida, Great Britain’s NSPCC and the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund to benefit surviving children affected by the World Trade Center attacks. To date, nearly $125,000 has been raised for some of these organizations through sales at various Thorpe exhibitions.
The Media is invited to attend the workshop at Chartwell School on Tuesday, May 18 from 1:15 to 2:50pm. Photo opportunities will be available.
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