Honoring first responders, military and veterans, Focus Comics of Fountain Hills is celebrating autism acceptance month (April) by offering a free military art program for autistic and special needs kids.

In the workshop, students learn to draw military vehicles incorporating math, physics and geometry into the lesson plan.

Facilitated by Focus Comics Founder Yvonne Wan, the classes are held in both group settings and one-on-one online over Zoom as well as in-person for students in need of extra support.

By the end of the month, students will participate in a graduation ceremony Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m., where they can meet eight local heroes (military, veteran and first responders), receive gifts like Blick art material and U.S. Air Force material and complementary food from the Habit Burger Charmobile.

Also on site will be a police vehicle, a fire truck and a U.S. Air Force spokesperson.

The Artists

Jade Chen (Submitted photo)

One student participating in the program is Jade Chen, 19, who is passionate about reading and drawing comic art. Jade Chen is a fan of Focus Comics and enjoys cooking and crafting. Her favorite color is purple and she loves to spend time with her family and her dog, Enya. Her favorite band is 21 Pilots.

Mia Chen (Submitted photo)

Mia Chen is another artist in the military vehicle art program. An aspiring autistic artist, Mia Chen, 11, enjoys listening to music, spending time with her three older siblings who   she loves, playing Roblox and doing art activities. She particularly loves drawing Focus, the autistic superhero.

Mia’s favorite colors and pink and yellow and her favorite subjects are art and science (she especially loves to learn about animals). She enjoys going to church and her homeschool co-op.

Elija Quintero (Submitted photo)

Elijah Quintero is an autistic artist with Down syndrome who loves to draw, color, decorate cakes with his mom, swim in pools, military vehicles and dogs. He has six siblings and can speak three languages (English, Spanish and American Sign Language).

Quintero receives weekly in-person one-on-one classes with Wan.

Issac Ammon (Submitted photo)

Issac Ammon is an autistic artist with a passion for comic art, technical drawing and digital art.

Ammon loves computer games, particularly Geometry Dash, and loves to draw Focus, the autistic superhero. At seven years old, Ammon enjoys attending community outreach events that showcase his art.

Aarav Gupta (Submitted photo)

Aarav Gupta is a 10-year-old autistic student and intern with two siblings, Nirvaan and Aizel. Gupta loves drawing and watching YouTube videos. He speaks English and Hindi and his favorite color is red.

Audrey Lam (Submitted photo)

Audrey Lam is a 12-year old autistic artist who enjoys using traditional and digtial art mediums. Lam enjoys watching YouTube videos and hanging out with her sister. Her favorite color is purple and hopes to be published in a future issue of Focus Comics.

The heroes

The heroes being recognized at the military art program graduation ceremony include U.S. Paramedic Steve Tremonti, U.S. Navy Veteran Mike Bufford, U.S. Air Force Veteran Levi Marler, Tempe Fire Deputy Chief Chris Snow, U.S. Army Veteran Carl Krawczyk, U.S. Air Force Veteran Tony Muscarello and U.S. Coast Guard Veteran Sarah Pritchett.

The military art program has started but is accepting students on a rolling basis. The final class is Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. on Zoom.

The graduation ceremony is at Samurai Comics in Glendale, 6808 N. Dysart Rd., Suite 148.

For more information, questions regarding the program or to register, visit focuscomic.com or contact Yvonne Wan at yvonne@focuscomic.com.