Everyday Hero host Bill Murphy met a talented artist named Tyler Cook on a visit to PARC, a St. Petersburg non-profit organization that has been turning disabilities into abilities for children and adults since 1953.
- Artist Tyler Cook makes hats for hospitalized children
- Cook is one of about 800 people served by PARC
- His paintings are great - he’s only been doing it since 2011
One Cook painting, titled “Red House” has been on display at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs.
Recently, his attention has turned to his looms. A while back, he was asked if he’d be able to make one or two hats for kids at All Children’s Hospital.
Not only did he decide to do it, but he made so many he lost track.
“I have no clue. I keep going,” Cook said when asked how many he had made.
He actually made 25 to start, each with his own label that his mom made. And many more on are the way.
“Tyler is very creative,” said Kim Mulhollen, PARC’s Director of ADT Programs. “Tyler learns a new skill and he takes it 150 percent.”
In the market for an original piece of art?
“Our art shop is open," said Mulhollen. "We have paintings. We have ceramics and we have jewelry. We have all sorts of things the public can come in and purchase."
50 percent of anything you buy goes to the artist, and the other 50 percent to buy more supplies for them to use.
But these days, Cook is primarily focused on those hats, and how quickly he can turn them out.
Each one comes with love. Just ask him who they’re for.
“For the babies,” Cook said.