Wonderfully Made
The Stray Point Project is Providing the Canvas for Artists with Disabilities to Thrive
When his daughter, Elisa, was 14, she observed her father, Matthew Baek, an award-winning illustrator, child-book author, and graphic designer, making random strokes with his brush on a canvas. Matthew thought nothing of it, but his daughter, who is on the autistic spectrum, saw something different, something deliberate.
“A peacock!,” she exclaimed. This moment led to an epiphany. Baek realized that even something unintended–a random stroke or a splatter of paint–holds meaning. He also realized what a poignant metaphor it was for those with disabilities, individuals who often struggle to be recognized and accepted for the unique beauty and inherent value they bring to the world.
When Baek and his family moved to Carrollton, Texas, in 2021, he began giving private art lessons in his home studio to those with disabilities. As word spread and interest in his services surged, he founded The Stray Point Art Academy, creating a space to foster creative development, independence, and self-worth for artists with disabilities, especially those on the autistic spectrum. Inspired by the Biblical quote that every person is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), this now renamed 501(c)(3) nonprofit redefines what it means to create, learn, and belong.
“In a classroom setting, I can’t give everyone my full attention, and I noticed that lower functioning students were often left behind, discarded,” Baek shares. “That’s the whole point of the Stray Point Project. I don’t want to discard anyone. I’m not going to turn anyone away.”
Students engage in personalized, one-on-one lessons, building trusting relationships with instructors who understand the nuances of the neurodivergent mind. They learn through a “facilitated art” approach where instructors provide minimal assistance, allowing the student to develop according to their unique learning styles, strengths, and pace.
Whether it’s drawing, painting, or mixed media, artists are encouraged to explore the mediums that speak to them. Core concepts, such as composition, color theory, and technique, are taught through projects that they enjoy and find personally significant. Regardless of the art medium or style the student exhibits, the goal remains consistent: helping them translate their inner world into visual form.
“When working one-on-one with students, you get to really look inside them,” shares Baek.
Regular exhibitions are held to showcase students’ creations, drawing families, neighbors, and supporters to experience firsthand the power and originality of their work. The organization has staged showings in Castle Hills, Frisco, and in Keller where they recently sold 18 works. Their efforts have even extended beyond the local scene with plans for exhibitions in Washington, DC and Korea.
Each show, sale, and shared image not only generates potential revenue and recognition for the artists but also shifts the narrative from limitation to possibility. It demonstrates that artists with disabilities belong in the broader cultural and creative arena, worthy of the full respect and serious attention any artist deserves.
