I have been to Art Mundo’s “Art Walk” many times and involved with different projects with them. I enjoy promoting Art Mundo and introducing new businesses and people to this special community of artists. There are many fantastic artist that have studios in Art Mundo but I wanted to highlight Katie Henderson because she is internationally known and happens to have Down Syndrome. I love the fact that she has the motivation to overcome obstacles and use her creative talent for the good of others. She is an inspiration to me and I wanted to share her story.
The day Katie was born her mother Ruth was told that Katie would not survive 36 hours after her birth. Katie is 30 years old now and has proved that she is here to stay and is giving a voice for her Down Syndrome community. I spoke to her mother Ruth, who totally supports her daughters creative thinking and her business. Ruth informed me that, ” She thinks she is just like everyone else”. Katie’s talent was noticed while she was attending The Arc of S. Lucie County and she was awarded Artist of the month in 2008. Her interest in art started after she had seen the movie, “The Devil wears Prada” and the desire to sew clothes and create was born. Sometime after that Katie became one of Art Mundo’s “Emerging Artists” and began a career she had a passion for. She sold her first piece in 2012 at her first gallery showing for $1000.00 and that snowballed into a an amazing opportunity that lead to Katie exhibiting her work in private and public galleries in Florida. What began as a hobby and teaching herself how to draw from a fashion sketchbook, grew into discovering her own technic, which by the way is original and baffles other artists because of how the clothes on her pieces appear to move. When the National Special Olympics Golf Tournament offered Katie to display and sell her collection at the event, she was thrilled but did not have the resources at the time. What makes this story incredible is, her mother had purchased a raffle ticket for the event and ended up winning $5000.00! Katie then used the money to put towards her business and was able to display her works at the Golf Tournament after all. Her company was officially begun in 2011 under the name ” MIss Katie’s Kreations”. Her “I can do it” attitude has gotten her noticeable attention locally and internationally. Local businessman, Art Allen and his wife Sandee of A & G Pools have a whole room in their home designated for Miss Katie’s Kreations.
Miss Katie’s original drawings have been purchased by private collectors throughout the United States and Canada. She has also earned an International following with her work being sold in Great Britain and South Africa. Miss Katie has won the hearts and admiration from many and her support of others with disabilities. She is known to donate original drawings and giclee prints for charity events. I was involved with the Humane Society’s Annual “Fur Ball” event and I know she donated a piece for that. It was her first animal “puppy” she had created specifically for the Humane Society. Her latest achievement was raising $2000.00 for the Arc of Martin County.
Miss Katie has been featured on blogs and in on-line fashion magazines around the world including Australia, Poland, Japan, Greece, Mexico, and Russia. Other accomplishments include a feature in the December 2012 issue of “Marie Claire- South Africa” and in March of 2013, her work was displayed in the Rotunda of the Florida Capitol.
Fort Pierce has many “Treasures” and Miss Katie’s Kreations is on that list. If you want to know more about her and her art please visit:
emal: MissKatiesKreatins@yahoo.com
Art Walk is every 2nd Wednesday of the month located at Art Mundo. It starts at 5:00pm-8:oopm
1 Comment
Wonderful article about an exceptional Artist.