Local artist brings African American figurines to Dickens students

People from all walks of life have rallied around the students at our adoptive school Charles Dickens Elementary in Cleveland. And recently, a local artist added a colorful touch to the Dickens Reads after-school program – giving the kids and himself a gift that will keep on giving.

Local artist John Starks is a figurine painter with a soft spot for children. He visited our Dickens kids during their after-school book club, and brought some very special guests. Starks painstakingly hand-paints extraordinary African-American figurines. No small feat for a man with a number of health problems who needs an oxygen machine to breathe.

“I was diagnosed 6 years ago with chronic emphysema, and due to the different types of medications I take, they cause insomnia,” said Starks.

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