Art exhibit showcases talents of brothers with autism

By Vickie Laliotis

Edmonton— Personal growth comes in a variety of forms, but for Brock Kryton, a local photographer and graphic designer, it came from teaching the art of photography to a young man with autism.

This month, Kryton will be hosting Autism Artistry, an exhibit to promote autism awareness at the Citadel Village in St. Albert. This fundraiser will feature the photographs of Ben Kurtz— the 22-year-old man Kryton mentors— along with the paintings of Kurtz’s younger brother Grant, who also has autism.

Despite how far they have come, mentoring a non-verbal autistic man was not always easy for Kryton.

“At first I had no idea what to do or how to teach him,” he said, “but I had this strong impression that this was what I was supposed to be doing.”

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects how a person communicates and interacts socially. Autism impacts every person differently, and so it is thought of as a spectrum disorder with symptoms ranging from mild to serious.

Each week Kryton would meet with Ben, Ben’s mother and his aide, and together they would go for hour-long walks with a camera. When Ben expressed interest in a specific place or object, they would all stop to help him photograph it.

“I would compose the picture with my camera, then we would position Ben and bring the camera to a level where he could grab it,” Kryton explained. “Then his mom would press on his finger to take the picture.”

Despite appearances, these weekly sessions meant more to Ben than just an opportunity for fresh air and photography lessons.

“Autism can be very isolating, and it’s difficult for Ben to reach out, but he is able to do so through the camera,” said Roma Kurtz, Ben’s mother.

“It’s his way of connecting to people.”

The idea to host a 60-piece exhibit of the Kurtz brothers work first began with Roma, who wanted to celebrate the achievements of her sons while helping people see autism through their eyes. Sensing an opportunity to use his training, Kryton—a 2011 design studies graduate from Grant MacEwan University— climbed on board with the idea.

“I used my resources to grow [the exhibit] into something that would be just a little bit more impactful for her, for Ben, for me, and hopefully for the community,” he said.

The experience of working with an autistic man was both eye opening and humbling for Kryton.

“Through this experience with Ben, I started to realize that I’m not very charitable, patient or humble,” he said. “Over time, I started realizing that this is why I’m doing this. I’m getting to develop my character.”

Although Kryton acknowledges that he has taught Ben a significant amount, he feels that what Ben has given him is so much more.

“What I’ve gotten out of this experience [is what] I hope other people can get out of it too,” he said of his mentorship.

A portion of the exhibit’s proceeds will be donated to Edmonton’s Autism Society, while the rest will finance career development and mentorship opportunities for the Kurtz brothers.

“These men will never have a job, so this event is about giving them financial support and a sense of purpose,” Kryton said.

“We all need each other, and cliché as it sounds, we’re all in this together,” he said. “It’s very important for me to impart my substance to those who are less fortunate. This is one vessel for doing that.”

Autism Artistry will take place at 109-35 Erin Ridge Rd. on Oct. 5 from noon to 7:30 p.m., with a silent auction beginning at 6 p.m.

Email: LaliotisV@mymail.macewan.ca