Wish Kid's Writings Transformed Into Art Exhibit

The wish of a non-verbal Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish kid — to be the subject of a museum exhibit – has resulted in a first-of-its-kind wish, as local artists have reimagined her fantastical autobiographical writings into a multimedia art show opening at The Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy.

“Esmé’s Stories: A Magical Journey” draws its inspiration from autobiographical tales sprinkled with fantasy penned by 11-year-old Esmé Savoie of Troy.

Born with intractable epilepsy and a genetic gene mutation that impact her ability to speak, walk and eat, Esmé uses eye gaze technology to write her stories. These short stories start out recounting her true adventures — going on a surfboard and dogsledding, for example — then take wondrous turns.

A public celebration of the exhibit will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Arts Center (265 River St., Troy). In addition to the family, representatives from the arts center and Make-A-Wish will be on hand. Also slated to be present are the artists who interpreted works, including recording artists Jocelyn & Chris, who recorded a video and song based on Esmé’s work and are scheduled to perform live at the event.

The exhibit will run at the Arts Center from Saturday, May 7, through Saturday, June 4.

“When we started Esmé’s wish journey, her communication with her talker was still very limited, and it was incredibly important that Esmé be given the time and opportunity to articulate her wish,” wish mom Hillary Savoie said. “When she wished for an ‘Esmé Museum,’ it was the first times Ez used communication to share a creative vision of how she wanted something to be, and from there, with the support of her communication team, her creativity exploded.

“Esmé has a lot to teach this world about magic, love, jokes and fun – and why we must always presume the competency of individuals who communicate differently and support them in finding their own voices!"

For the exhibit, curated by Belinda Colon, the center’s curator of exhibitions and public art, Esmé's writing has been transformed into sculpture and song, punctuated by other media.

“I'm honored to present such an inspirational, rewarding and amazing experience to Esmé, her family, friends and our community,” Colon said. “Thank you, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, for granting wishes."

Make-A-Wish Northeast New York CEO William C. Trigg, III, said Esmé’s wish for an exhibit is both highly unique and representative.

“Wishes, whether they are to go on a trip to Walt Disney World_® Resort, have a backyard playset, meet a celebrity or any of the other nearly endless options, all have one thing in common: They are driven by a child’s imagination,” Trigg said. “This exhibit, the first of its kind for the chapter, illustrates the beautiful mind of Esmé, and the boundless possibilities a wish can offer.”

Artists Royal Brown, Toast Halasz and Shanelle Carter-Maddox (an Arts Center Board member) are featured in the exhibit, with contributions by artists Jing Agunzo, Isabella Burnett, Cynthia Fiorini and Kim Tateo. The Sagamore Chef Emily Petersen and team provided a catering sponsorship for this wish.