SPECIAL ART FEATURED IN BOYNTON CALENDAR
Every year Boynton Beach puts out a calendar of need-toknow events and meetings. The 2018 version might be the most beautiful and meaningful.
The calendar features acrylic paintings created by Brandon Drucker, a 26-yearold autistic artist. He painted several popular places in Boynton such as Intracoastal Park, Harbor Marina and The Boardwalk Italian Ice and Creamery.
“It’s very different from what we’ve done in the past. I think it’s been very well received,” said city spokeswoman Eleanor Krusell, who produces the calendar. “I think it’s really touched a lot of people’s hearts.”
Drucker, of Deerfield
Beach, participated with the Artists with Autism nonprofit, run by his mother Cynthia Drucker, in an exhibit held in the city as part of Boynton’s inclusion and arts in public places programs. Drucker impressed city staff enough for them to ask him to be part of the calendar.
“It’s quite an honor,” Cynthia Drucker said. “It’s very exciting for both of us.”
Cynthia Drucker started Artists with Autism because of Brandon.
Doctors diagnosed him when he was 3 and he didn’t speak until he was 5, but used drawing as a form of communication.
“He’s always been an artist. Having autism, it’s very difficult to have traditional employment. So we focused on abilities he had with art,” Cynthia Drucker said.
Artists with Autism has a gallery at the Festival Flea Market and it’s Brandon’s job to manage it five days a week. All artwork in the gallery is created by artists who have autism and they keep proceeds. Artists can also use the space as a studio while learning how to promote their work, said Cynthia Drucker.
Brandon Drucker said it took him nearly three months to finish all the paintings for the calendar. He said he’s happy with the results — and the many compliments.