Abrakadoodle Student Wins Art Contest

Nov. 8, 2007 - PRLog -- Seven-year old Luke Koehler of Reisterstown, Maryland was among several pediatric patients whose lives and artistic creations were celebrated with the unveiling of the 2007 Miracle Tie Collection at the 12th annual “Tie into a Miracle” fashion show today at the Jos. A. Bank Clothiers store in Towson, Maryland. The line of silk neckties was inspired Johns Hopkins Children’s Centers patient artwork. All proceeds from sales of these ties help support research and patient care at the Children’s Center. Ties may be purchased at any Jos. A. Bank Clothiers retail location or online. Each 100-percent silk tie sells for $59.50. Jos. A. Bank will donate 100-percent of the proceeds from the Miracle Collection XII sales to the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

“This story captured the hearts and imaginations of all of us at Abrakadoodle,” commented Mary C. Rogers, MA. Ed., CEO of Abrakadoodle. “Luke’s creative works have inspired us to create a page on our website commemorating the special works of our young artists.”

Abrakadoodle salutes Luke Koehler for his bravery and creative excellence! See his commemorative page at:  http://www.abrakadoodle.com/young_artists.htm.

While in treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Luke was approached about submitting artwork for the Jos. A. Banks contest. Luke was diagnosed in January 2007 with type one Juvenile Diabetes. Even though Christmas had passed, Luke opted to draw a picture of Santa Clause and a Christmas tree. Christmas was very special for Luke’s family because he was able to remind himself and his family what really mattered and made him happy during a very challenging time. Luke’s winning entry was entitled, “Santa Delivers.” See the tie inspired by Luke’s design: http://www.josbank.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_....

Luke began taking Abrakadoodle classes (www.abrakadoodle.com) in Kindergarten, which according to his mother Jill, ignited his interest in art. Motivated by what he learned, young Luke sought additional drawing books from the school library and began drawing everything from people to dinosaurs. He continued with Abrakadoodle advanced drawing classes in first grade. Luke loves art, music, soccer and everything Star Wars! Instead of a light saber, Luke wields a paintbrush and other art tools as he continues to draw upon his own imagination and courageous spirit to battle diabetes.
“Jos. A. Bank’s Miracle Tie Collection® has changed lives at the Children’s Center,” says George Dover, M.D., director and pediatrician in chief of the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. “Each Miracle Tie artist is filled with a tremendous sense of pride in his or her work, and Joseph A. Bank should be proud of the difference they have made in the form of nearly $700,000 to support pediatric patient care.”
Additional links: www.abrakadoodle.com  www.hopkinchildrens.org and www.josbank.com

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Established in 2002 Abrakadoodle is the most comprehensive art education company of its kind, offering extensive visual arts classes, camps and birthday parties for children ages 20 months to 12 years old. Abrakadoodle’s classes inspire children’s imaginations by immersing them in such art forms as painting, sculpting, mosaics, collage, digital design, paper art, stamping, sketching, anime, studio art, foil embossing, and more. Programs are offered nationwide at schools and community sites.

Website: www.abrakadoodle.com