Kim and Justin Waszkiewicz believe special needs families deserve an easily accessible space to create and display art. So the couple created The Luckiest Light Art Studio and Gallery, which officially opened its doors in downtown Havre de Grace this week.

“We just want to shine a light on people who are overlooked far too often,” Kim said.

The art studio, at 220 N. Washington St., is an expansion of couple’s first initiative, Isaac’s aNorable Home, an Airbnb on Franklin Street designed to bring awareness about people living with disabilities. The couple’s 9-year-old daughter, Nora, has Down syndrome, and the Airbnb is named after Nora and her younger brother, Isaac, 7. It features artwork, photography and books created by individuals with disabilities. The money generated from home rentals goes toward funding art and wellness events hosted for people with disabilities.

The colors used on the new art studio’s exterior — blue and yellow — are symbolic of Down syndrome awareness. The studio’s name, The Luckiest Light, is a nod to Nora, whose name means “light” and the family’s feeling that it is among the lucky few who have a child with a disability.

The inclusive space will be open Mondays through Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for individuals with disabilities to create artwork at multiple stations, including acrylic, watercolor, fiber and writing. On Fridays through Sundays, the studio will showcase the artwork for community members to purchase, with 30% of the proceeds going back to the studio to replenish supplies, and the rest going to the artist.

People who don’t have a disability are also encouraged to come and create art at the studio, solidifying the inclusive space Kim and Justin aimed to create.

“We want people to love, respect and give them the dignity that they deserve and so we want to provide that space,” Justin said. “The Luckiest Light is here, we’re not going anywhere.”

When an artist come to the studio, they are invited to learn from a volunteer master artist. John Keaton, 66, of Havre de Grace is one of the volunteers who’s been creating art since he was 5 years old. He was an elementary school art teacher for about five years.

“I love interacting with the children,” he said. “It’s just a great experience.”

Keaton says he hopes to teach potential artists that there’s not one way to create.

“It’s all about innovation, experimenting, trying different things and not being afraid of the materials,” he said.

  • The Luckiest Light had its grand opening Monday in Havre...
    The Luckiest Light had its grand opening Monday in Havre de Grace, a non-profit dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through art, community connection and other initiatives. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

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The Luckiest Light had its grand opening Monday in Havre de Grace, a non-profit dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through art, community connection and other initiatives. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

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Creating art is a pastime that Jeannie Allerton, 71, and her son, Anthony, 36, both of Havre de Grace, enjoy doing together.

Allerton is an accomplished fine artist and she introduced Anthony, who has Asperger’s syndrome, to it about seven years ago. Allerton says the new art studio is the perfect place for families to create art together and showcase it, as she has with her son. She plans to volunteer at the studio at least once per week.

Kim Waszkiewicz has a professional background in occupational therapy, and said she’s eager to help anyone create art and will adap the space to accommodate their needs.

“I don’t want them to change for us,” she said. “I want us to change for them.”

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