Dameon Waite-Morton, who attends Opportunity Middle College, enjoys watching anime, reading books, and creating art. Now others at Bluegrass Community & Technical College’s Newtown Pike campus can enjoy his artwork as well.

An instructor of Studio Art & Art History at BCTC, Corrinne LeNeave met Dameon last semester in her Drawing I class, which he took for dual credit. “Dameon has a true confidence in his drawings that makes his artworks really eye-catching,” she said. “Most students in 100-level art classes have yet to hone in on a personal style, but Dameon’s style is undeniable – very graphic but also layered and intricate.” 

After LeNeave shared some student art with colleagues, the library staff asked if any were interested in displaying samples on campus. Two of Dameon’s pieces – an abstract self-portrait in chalk pastels and his interpretation of Frederick Douglass High School in colored pencil – wound up in a glass case near the library’s entrance. The display is right upstairs from the OMC spaces in the main classroom building. 

"The chalk is good, but you have to be careful," said Dameon, who noted how pencils are easier to handle.

“The two pieces are great examples of his masterful handling of bold geometric shapes to create complex arrangements,” added LeNeave, who now has Dameon in her 2D Design course.

Holly McCombs is a special education teacher in Fayette County Public Schools who supports 20-year-old Dameon. He is in BCTC’s Comprehensive Transition and Post-Secondary Program (CTP), which gives students with intellectual disabilities a chance to take part in college courses and student life. CTP also encourages independent living skills and self-advocacy.

“You could tell how proud he was,” McCombs said after she and Dameon viewed the library exhibit. “It was a great moment for him to see his art up in his college’s library.”

Posted Feb. 23, 2023