Young Man Hones Artistic Skills

At the age of 3, Hempfield High School (HHS) alumnus Malcolm Corley was diagnosed with a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. This means that Malcolm struggles with social cues and has limited verbal expression. Art, however, has helped Malcolm overcome these obstacles. At about the same time that Malcolm received this diagnosis, he expressed an interest in art by creating drawings inspired by the television show "Blue's Clues." Next came re-creations of Dr. Seuss' illustrations, some of which he made from memory.

Malcolm noted that his favorite medium is drawing, and his favorite part of the artistic process is "when it's finished." According to his mother, Maria Corley, he sometimes struggles to get in a groove and may spend more time "stimming" in a painting session than painting. "Of course, stimming could be the same as thinking about how he wants to approach the work," Maria commented. "He picks up momentum, usually, when the end is near. Then he really appreciates what he's created."

During his time as a student at HHS, Malcolm was encouraged by teacher Brian Lehman to enroll in an Advanced Placement (AP) art class despite his disability. "Untitled #1," an acrylic painting he created in this AP art class, was one of 15 works chosen by The Kennedy Center's 2019 VSA program. Malcolm was the youngest artist to be recognized and the only one with no postsecondary art training. "Untitled #1" was also chosen, along with his "Hoodie Self-portrait," for the CRIP Ritual art show in Toronto, Ontario, which has been rescheduled for winter 2022.

In addition to being included in various publications and on websites, Malcolm's art has been shown locally at the Ware Center, the Winter Center, and the Emerald Foundation. It has also been featured in two juried international sales: Art of Possibility at the Courage Kenny Rehab Center in Minneapolis and the 2019 and 2020 Art Ability Exhibitions at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, where one of his pieces received an honorable mention prize. "Three Faces of Malcolm" was chosen for the 2021 Art of the State exhibition at the Harrisburg State Museum of Pennsylvania.

In the fall of 2021, PromptPress published "Studies in Brotherly Love," a limited-edition book of poems about Malcolm's art and the reproductions of the works that inspired them. Award-winning poet, writer, and film producer D.J. Savarese, along with three students currently enrolled in the University of Iowa's writing program - Jorrell Watkins, Lateef McLeod, and Claretta Holsey - provided the words to amplify Malcolm's art. Artist Jaz Graf designed and hand-bound the book.

"I just want to thank all of the people who have been in Malcolm's corner, like Laurie Cubell, the former director of the Emerald (Foundation), as well as Barry Kornhauser and Julie Pyle Childs of the Ware Center," said Maria. "I should single out my sister, Patricia, for creating his site. Also, he has gotten nothing but support from Jamie Berryhill, his autistic support teacher. That continues to this day."

To view and purchase some of Malcolm's artwork, visit http://www.malcolmstiles.com.