Dear Open Door Art Studio Community,

When I started with Columbus Center for Human Services, Inc. in 2008, Open Door was a small studio tucked back down an alley in Grandview. I knew there were big things ahead for the small studio and I was so excited to be working for a company whose mission was something I felt so strongly about. I was excited to drive to work every day and loved telling anyone who would listen all about the wonderful things Open Door and CCHS were doing. After five years, and a move into our big, beautiful studio and gallery, the feelings and excitement I had then are even stronger now. I am so grateful to be able to serve all the amazing artists at Open Door and look forward to continuing the mission of CCHS. A big thank you to CCHS, Open Door and the community for your amazing support!

Martin Freireich's smile can brighten up a whole room. His paintings have a similar effect. They captivate the viewer with numerous overlapping paint strokes. His colors dance around the canvas, leading the eye to and fro. Despite major physical limitations, Marty is amazingly independent and upbeat. From a young age he has primarily used his feet rather than his hands to navigate the world. Marty's colorful creations are painted and drawn entirely by foot. Poised in his wheelchair, Marty works tirelessly on his art. In fact, he will mark just about anything or anybody who gets too close. Marty's wonderful humor pervades all that he does and his exuberant laugh is worth a thousand words.    

Amazon Awakening, Acrylic on canvas

• Small canvases (blank or painted on, doesn't matter)
• Brushes of any shape or size
• Pieces of clean, nail free wood
• Frames (especially small frames)
• Watercolor paper
• Watercolor paints 
• Scrap Paper
• Old mugs