We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Dergar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.

Hi Michael, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
This past year 2021 and early 2022 is was a year of very successful events local and internationally. Our goals to support our special needs communities in Mexico, Colombia and the US was achieved thanks to the generosity of many. I was very fortunate to be the sponsor for many artists in the special needs community by providing financial support in collaboration with Helen Woo. Most of 30 vulnerable families received a wheelchair and more than 20 emerging artists received scholarships to continue their education in the arts.

Michael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Michael Dergar, An artist that paints to help! My mission in life is to create a more inclusive society regardless of disabilities. I am the founder of the Academy of Special Dreams Foundation whose mission for the last 12 years is to Bring Public Awareness, Recognition and appreciation to the creative talents of our artists with disabilities. I am very fortunate to collaborate with many countries in the World and to be recognized for my mission in the arts and for my work as an artist. I was born in Mazatlan, Sinaloa Mexico in a very humble family. As a child I remember being a dreamer! I always live in my own world. The world that gave me the freedom to be who I am now. My mission in life is clear. To create a more inclusive society regardless of disabilities by providing opportunities to artists in need. I am very happy to bring my mission of inclusion and art to other countries and collaborate with many people that have a common mission to make a difference. I want to give many thanks to Jerry J Ruiz, Dory Perdomo, Lic. Jose Angel Tostado Quevedo, Zoila Hernandez, Helen Woo, my fellow Rotarians and of course all my friends and family for believing in my dreams.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I learned to believe. I learned to dream! As a child growing up with many limitations including a physical condition that in some stages of my childhood limited my normal mobility, I had to learn to be resilient in life and to work harder to reach my goals to be independent and to do something for my life. I left my country looking for new opportunities 24 years ago and I worked really hard to be where I am now. I am very thankful for the support of many in this journey. I believe that having dreams in life and visualizing with no limitations what you want you can accomplish everything. Of course, you have to work really hard to accomplish every goal, prepare yourself and learn from others’ mistakes and have a lot of discipline. To find a purpose in life is the secret. So dream big, find a purpose in life the rest will follow.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
There is a long journey to make a more inclusive society.  Together,  we can continue making a difference by bringing public awareness, recognition and appreciation to our community with disabilities in the arts!  Thank you all who believe in my mission of inclusion and for your support!   Recently,  In collaboration with BAUPRES Center, Cultura Mazatlan and other institutions like DIF Mazatlan And Mazatlan North Rotary Club we are continuing with our inclusive art movement “Inclusion a Través del Arte” in Mexico . This movement brings opportunities for many in the arts and also brings public awareness and recognition to artists in the special needs community and also services like art therapies and wheelchairs for the most vulnerable. Currently he his collaborating with Dory Perdomo from BAUPRES Gallery and the international Artist Cesar Forero from Canada uniting forces with one Vision.  To Make a More Inclusive Society in the Arts Internationally.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michaeldergar.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/academyofspecialdreams/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialacademy
• Linkedin: Michaeldergar
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/specialacademy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/specialacademy2009
• Other: www.specialacademy.org

Image Credits
Michael Dergar DIF Mazatlán