Handicapped Artist Painting Productions and You

H.A.P.P.Y., Inc., is a non-profit organization which provides handicapped and disabled persons a medium for self expression through art. The artists are provided with a comfortable place to work, art materials, and assistance from professional art instructors.

Eric "Rick" McQuaide, (Happy's founder pictured left) is a quadriplegic born with cerebral palsy. For the first 30 years of his life, he never realized he had a talent. One day, in 1984, Evelyn Cohn (pictured right with Queenie), an art instructor for the "United Cerebral Palsy Center in Broward County," put an artist brush in Rick's mouth and assisted him in painting his first canvas. Rick's parents were astonished with his ability to create such a beautiful oil painting being a quadriplegic. Rick himself could hardly believe it and wondered how he could have missed painting for so many years. The answer, of course, was because limited resources were queen&ev.JPG (12337 bytes)

available at the time and Rick wanted that to change. Convinced that other people like himself had talent, he persuaded his parents to assist him in starting an organization that would help other handicapped people overcome their disabilities using the medium of art. Rick -- the new born artist -- has been happy ever since and that is how H.A.P.P.Y. got its name.

Happy's goal is to become completely self supportive. Eventually we would like to find a permanent location operating as a storefront/workshop and desperately need your support to do it. We would appreciate any greeting card orders, new memberships or donations and we will make our financial information available upon request. All donations and memberships are tax deductible and will be used to upgrade our facilities and provide service for those who need it.

Recent News:

January, 2007: H.A.P.P.Y. has recently had the opportunity to secure its own facility in Sunrise, Florida and with the diligent effort of Rick’s Dad, managed to renovate their studio before he passed away in December, 2006. But we are in desperate need of an artist to work with the group. Any help in securing an artist for a few short hours a week would be greatly appreciated! Please contact Rick at home, 954-974-1180, should you be able to aid in our efforts to benefit this wonderful organization.