A new burst of color and creativity has taken over the teen area on the second floor of the Rochester Hills Public Library, where Paint A Miracle’s newest exhibition, “Painted Pups,” is now on view through April.
The exhibit — featuring joyful, layered dog portraits created by six local artists — is the first in a new long-term partnership between the library and Paint A Miracle, a nonprofit art studio serving people with disabilities and other challenges. The partnership will bring two exhibitions per year to the library, making this a new and permanent presence for the studio’s artists and their work.
For both organizations, the partnership feels like an ideal fit.
“What Paint A Miracle has done for people in our community shows in the beautiful pieces their artists create,” library director Juliane Morian said in an advance announcement of the exhibit’s debut. “RHPL is honored to support their reach in the community.”
A mission rooted in hope, and one family’s story
To understand why this partnership matters, it helps to understand the heart behind Paint A Miracle.
The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Dale and Annie Propson after Dale, formerly a pediatric dentist, suffered a catastrophic brain injury when he was hit by a drunken driver. The injury altered his entire life. After finishing rehabilitation and day programming, he had long stretches of unfilled time and struggled to find activities that felt meaningful.
Everything changed when an aide brought him to an art studio run by his soon-to-be artistic mentor, Helen Cuniff.
“It completely transformed his life,” said his daughter and the nonprofit’s executive director, Shelly Propson Lennon. “He told Helen: ‘I can’t see. I can’t paint,’ and she said: ‘You don’t need your eyes to paint, Dale. The image goes from your brain to your heart to your hand.’”
He flourished creatively, joining a community of artists and showing his work publicly. Seeing the power of art to rebuild joy, identity and purpose, he and Annie became determined to create a similar space for others.
“When he told my mom, ‘We need to start an art studio for people like me,’ she thought surely something like that already existed in Detroit,” Propson Lennon said. “But there wasn’t, so they created it.”
What began with four artists meeting at the Rochester Community House has grown into an organization that serves more than 400 individuals a year, with roughly 70 artists attending classes each week. Paint A Miracle also hosts outreach events, workshops and community partnerships across southeast Michigan.
Most importantly, Propson Lennon said, the studio nurtures “hope, growth and encouragement.” It is a chance for individuals who may be overlooked or underestimated to express themselves, gain confidence and build social connections.
A natural partnership with the library
Paint A Miracle has collaborated with the library in small ways over the years, such as selling note cards in RHPL’s gift shop and displaying items in windows, but this is its first official exhibition partnership.
“We are so excited,” Propson Lennon said. “Juliane and her staff came for a tour of the studio, and they just fell in love with the artists and our work. It felt like such a logical partnership.”
The library now serves as a rotating gallery, hosting two Paint A Miracle installations each year.
“It’s the perfect place to share the talents of our artists,” Propson Lennon said. “We want people to come to the library and have our exhibit make them smile. And for anyone going through something difficult like a diagnosis, an injury, learning their child may have special needs, I hope they see the resilience and gifts that all people bring to the world.”
Painting those pups
The colorful dog portraits lining RHPL’s second-floor walls may look playful, but they also reflect thoughtful artistic technique and deep engagement between instructors and artists.
Paint A Miracle instructor and exhibit lead Kathleen Binger came up with the concept.
“I was trying to think of something everyone would enjoy,” she said. “I looked for photos of dogs. They’re so popular. And I found a few paintings that looked fun and approachable. Everybody likes dogs.”
For the artists, the project unfolded step by step:
• Each artist selected a reference photo of a dog they found appealing.
• They began with large acrylic brush strokes to form the background.
• Binger created a same-size drawing of each dog, helping artists visually break it down.
• The dogs were cut into pieces like a puzzle, placed on the canvas, and traced.
• Artists painted the dogs in layers — first base colors, then details, shadows and highlights.
The technique allowed artists to focus on shapes and colors, building confidence as the portrait emerged.
But for Binger, the reward wasn’t only in the finished work.
“Someone was laughing the whole time and smiling, really excited about how their piece was turning out,” she said. “That’s the best part — seeing them proud of themselves.”
The subject matter also sparked nonstop conversation.
“Everyone was talking about their own dogs and family dogs, sharing stories and names,” she added. “It just brought out this happy energy. … Everyone in that class is really good friends,” Binger said. “It’s welcoming, calm. We play music, joke around. Even though it’s the last class of my day, it’s a good end to the day because everyone is so happy.”
Artist Spotlight: Abigail Branham
One of the artists featured in the exhibit is Abigail Branham, who has been attending Paint A Miracle for more than 20 years.
When shown the reference images, Branham, who is nonverbal and did this interview via email through her mother, immediately connected with one particular pup.
“I liked the details on this puppy,” she wrote. “It was almost like polka dots all over. He looked like a fluffy, happy dog who would be a good pet.”
Using acrylic paints, Branham created a bright, joyful portrait in green, pink, brown and gray. She described her technique step-by-step — painting the background first, outlining the dog in chalk, then layering paint “again and again” to create fur before adding final details.
Artmaking, for Branham, is not simply a pastime.
“It makes me feel very proud of myself,” she wrote. “I like being with my friends when I make art. Working with all the different types of art makes me feel relaxed and calm.”
Her mother, Debbie Branham, said the studio has become a meaningful outlet for Abigail.
“Abigail is nonverbal, but art has become another mode of communication,” Debbie said. “Her imagination and artistic skills have grown as she has been exposed to new techniques. Her friendships with other artists provide strong social connections.”
Debbie says seeing her artwork displayed and sold means the world to her daughter.
“When Abigail’s pieces are sold, it shows her that people value her hard work and vision,” she said.
What visitors will take away
For Binger, the hope is simple — conversations, connection and joy.
“I hope visitors get the chance to talk to the artists, if they’re willing,” she said. “And I hope they really look at the artwork and see the effort and excitement that went into it.”
Some pieces in the exhibition are available for purchase, though Binger notes many artists grow attached to their work and prefer to keep it.
For Propson Lennon, the exhibit is an invitation to see art — and people — differently.
“Art makes people happy,” she said. “And our artists show that no matter what challenges someone faces, there is always a reason to hope.”
Those interested in learning more about Paint A Miracle — as artists, volunteers, supporters or partners — are encouraged to connect with the organization to explore classes, outreach opportunities and ways to support scholarships for artists. Learn more at paintamiracle.org or by calling 248-652-2702.
“Painted Pups” is on view at the Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road, through April. Admission is free and open to all ages.
