Meet 2013 Mudbugs and Music Junior Honoree, Allie Shebs! She was diagnosed with Pauciarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis during 2012 just before she turned two years old. Allie was sent to the Children’s Rheumatology Clinic in Birmingham where she was diagnosed by Dr. Lowe and Dr. Mannion, and she continues to have regular appointments at this clinic. Come help us fight for sweet children such as Allie at Mudbugs and Music 2013, benefitting Juvenile Arthritis!

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                

 

 

Now meet our Medical Honoree! Dr. Lowe is a board certified pediatric rheumatologist and enjoys caring for kids with arthritis, lupus, and many other pediatric rheumatologic conditions. He is also a physician scientist and an active researcher particularly in the area of the genetics and epigenetics of lupus in kids and adults. Dr. Lowe received his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania.  He completed the NIH-sponsored Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Washington in Seattle where he earned his MD and his PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a focus on autoimmune disease pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. 

After medical and graduate school, Dr. Lowe completed a residency in pediatrics at Case Western Reserve’s Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio and a fellowship in pediatric rheumatology in a conjoint fellowship program at the Cleveland Clinic and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.  In April of 2011, Dr. Lowe joined the faculty at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB), Department of Pediatrics under the research mentorship of Dr. Randy Cron, Professor and Director of the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at UAB. His professional goals include improving our understanding of how lupus develops in kids and helping develop new treatments and possibly even a cure for lupus, JIA, and other autoimmune diseases.  

                                                                                                                                                                      

 

The Arthritis Foundation’s 9th Annual “Mudbugs and Music” festival will feature an event poster designed by Birmingham linocut artist Laurin Stennis. Stennis, a licensed clinical social worker by trade, says her involvement in the nonprofit world runs deep.  “This is a fun way to combine my artistic talent with my passion for the work of nonprofits in our community,” Stennis said.

For this project, Stennis took inspiration from the Arthritis Foundation logo.  “I tweaked its shape into a guitar pick and put a mudbug with raised claws in lieu of the human figure,” she laughed.  And in an understated reference to this being the 9th annual event, Stennis simply carved, “No. 9.”

Creating a linoleum relief block involves several steps.  Stennis sketches her subject in reverse onto a block of linoleum. She then carves away the negative, or white space to create her signature textures and effects. “I roll ink over the surface of what’s left and hand-press the image onto fine paper,” she said.  “Each one is unique.”

Stennis is asking a $35 donation for each signed and numbered “Mudbugs and Music” limited edition poster, and only twenty-five will be available.  Stennis will donate 100% of the proceeds to the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. 

“We are thrilled to have a local artist from the Avondale Community partner with us for this wonderful event," said John Sweeney, Regional Development Director of the Arthritis Foundation's Alabama offices. "Laurin’s talent is only surpassed by her generosity.”

To see more of Stennis’ artwork, check out her Facebook page, Laurin Stennis, Ink (www.facebook.com/Stennisink).