An Angel In Our Midst (Marty North)


A Pensacola artist was devastated when hurricane Ivan destroyed almost everything he owned.

In fact, he was ready to walk away from an almost-100 year old family trade.

Now, the fire has been rekindled for his passion because others have given a greater purpose to his work.

I'm a local fourth generation potter, taught by my parents and great grandparents. And I teach here at Belmont.

About three months ago, Marty North was asked to take on a special class at the Belmont Arts Center; a class of profoundly developmentally disabled adults.

Diane Amato, Pyramid School; I said, You realize some of the things that we might be dealing with. And he said, I totally understand, you just teach me, you just show me.

Marty; O.K. pound the whole top of it; pound, pound, pound.

Diane; Haven't really had to teach him how to work with the students at all. He is totally a natural.

Marty; I'm starting slow with them and getting them used ot it. And getting them used to being dirty and wanting to play in the clay.)

This class is more than therapy. What the students make here, they will sell to earn their own money...And sense of independence.

Marty North, Potter; Everything that I teach them is going to be functional pieces; microwave, dishwasher, oven safe; functional, environmentally safe pieces.
They'll sell.

Marty. Just a moment.

Even those typically non-verbal, will call out for Marty. Their student-teacher relationship seems a match made in heaven.

Diane; I feel the best thing is he treats them as an adults on a one-on-one level, just as he would treat you or me.

Marty; Tell her you're going to keep it. Tell her this one's yours. Tell her this one's yours.
Keep it.

Laugh

Diane; The first day that I met Marty...I just knew that he would have that ability to reach tme.

Marty displays that same ability with the clients at A-R-C Gateway. The smiles probably say it best. But, with funding for the Belmont Arts Center almost gone, marty could use some help to keep these programs going.

Marty; We could use paint brushes, glazes, right down to hand me down towels, to anything.

Just a little help and Marty promises to do the rest.

Marty; Give me six months with them. We'll be having some big pots come out, some really top dollar stuff.

I do this because it's a God given talent.
So, why not offer what I can to who I can.

Angels In Our Midst (Marty North)