Paintings of artist with Down syndrome on exhibit in office of Lt. Governor Owen

Dylan Kuehls' "Welcome to My Fall Season" painting is one of 12 of his works on display.

Artist Dylan Kuehl with friends in the lobby of Lt. Gov. Owen's office in Olympia on Aug. 1. From left are siblings Parker and Morgan Koshelnik-Turner, both 15, Zayn Mansour, one, Dylan, 23, and Gini Koshelnik-Turner, 17, all of Olympia.  Dylan's work will be on display through October. Read more about Dylan online in the Olympian.

Linda Owen, chair of the Lt. Governors' Art Council, with Dylan on the opening day.

NEWS RELEASE
July 28, 2006

Works of Olympia artist on display in Capitol

OLYMPIA – The paintings of a young Olympia artist with Down syndrome will be on display in the office of Lt. Gov. Brad Owen in the state Capitol building for three months starting Aug. 1.

Dylan Kuehl, 23, will be the featured Washington artist for the Lieutenant Governor’s Art Council through October.  Kuehl, who has won several art contests and whose works have been published in numerous publications, will be in the office to talk about his paintings and answer questions on Aug. 1 from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m., and on Sept. 18 and Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Kuehl is a student at South Puget Sound Community College, the sole proprietor of DK Arts and a life-long resident of Olympia. An ambitious visual and performing artist, Dylan performs live in community dance events two to three times a year. He is a Special Olympics gold medalist, most recently in power lifting. He studies modern, tap and hip-hop dance as well as martial arts and is a rock-n-roll drummer. 

“I am able to express myself with art. I get focused and detailed,” Kuehl said. “When I do my art I feel emotional and passionate and dedicated. My art work builds confidence and it builds character. Down syndrome doesn’t affect my art work. I just show my expressions of being that unique.”

Founded in 1996, the Lieutenant Governor’s Art Council features Washington artists.  Artists are nominated by a review of their works and based on themes chosen by the council.  Works and featured artists change each quarter. The council is chaired by Linda Owen, the lieutenant governor’s wife, who will also be at the Aug. 1 opening.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at in 220 Legislative Building, 416 Sid Snyder Avenue S.W. 

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For more information contact:                                           

Brian Dirks
Dirks.brian@leg.wa.gov