“I use art in any form to really shine because sometimes you feel like you don’t know where to go or where you belong, but you tend to find a safe place within the arts.”

ArtWorks Young Artist Donald is 20 years-old and majoring in Biochemistry at Seton Hall University. He is currently in remission after facing acute promyelocytic leukemia.

While most young adults enjoy a care-free adolescent life, Donald had to spend his days in the confines of Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Donald stated, “I struggled to feel connected to others. I really had to remember how to be a part of the social aspects of life.”

Donald quickly turned to the arts to find a newly gained sense of freedom, comfort and identity behind the camera lens. Donald would schedule his doctor visits around the days ArtWorks Teaching Artist, Steven Hazlett would hold  macro photography workshops. It was in this workshop where Donald created his amazing piece “Untitled” (pictured above) using the the technique of extreme close-up photography!

Thank you so much Donald for sharing your story with the ArtWorks Community!

We are so honored to showcase his piece in our Silent Auction at our Summer Cocktail Celebration!