Give! Campaign: Club of Arts Watch Video
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Allicia Rice paints.  / FOX21 News
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By Abbie Burke
Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 9:36 p.m.

Read more: Local, Community, Entertainment, Give Campaign, Allica Rice, Club of Arts, Misdiagnosed, Disabilities, Art, Donate, Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The Club of Arts was founded in 2005 with a goal to offer inexpensive classes to people with disabilities.

It has seen significant growth over the years and now serves more than 4,000 students.

One of those students now has her own art studio and is even selling her work.

Allicia Rice was misdiagnosed multiple times and spent years struggling with her disabilities -- and then she discovered art.

"It's fun and it helps me know my feeling if I’m sad or happy and today I am happy," said Allicia.

At the age of two her parents noticed something was wrong, but it was years later until she was finally properly diagnosed with mild autism and severe dyslexia.

"She was probably in her early twenties before we got the right diagnosis," said Larry Rice, Allicia's father.

An art teacher at Allicia's high school noticed her love and talent and encouraged her to pursue it. She founded The Club of Arts in Colorado Springs.

"It really gives them the opportunity to sort of say, 'OK, this is what I want,'" said Jessie Pocock.

Pocock, development and program director of The Club of Arts, says art has made a huge difference in Allicia's life.

"I have seen art transform Allicia's life," said Pocock.

Donations to the Give! campaign will ensure The Club of Arts is able to continue offering classes.

"It essentially covers instruction and everything that it takes to instruct students," said Pocock. Something she says is crucial for the disabled community.

"There is a possibility that art has saved Allicia's life," said Pocock.

And it's also pushed her towards her dream of being an artist.

The Club of Arts currently offers 15 classes a week from painting to drama, even candymaking class. It also offer various membership packages.

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