By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
You may not know Michael Leiker by name, but you would likely know him if you saw him.
Leiker, who is developmentally disabled, doesn’t drive, so he walks everywhere he goes, bringing with him big smiles for the people he meets. He is often seen downtown at his favorite places — the ARC or the library.
Brent Kaiser, ARC activities director, described Michael as one of the most caring people he knows.
“If he sees someone is having a bad or they are struggling, he has little words to encourage them, a pat on the back or a hug,” Kaiser said. “Michael is the go to guy for those type of things.”
Not only does Leiker participate in Special Olympics basketball, track and cheerleading, he is a noted artist as well.
Leiker will make his art debut during an exhibit from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Winter Art Walk in the conference room of the Downtown Hays Development Corp., 1200 Main St.
Leiker, 31, already has art honors under his belt, winning prizes in past years at the Ness County Fair.
He started to draw when he was about 18 and he said art helps him relax. He hasn’t had art classes. He is self-taught. His pictures are pencil or ink drawings, some of which he adds color to with markers or paint.
He just picks subjects that he likes — superheroes, a human heart, a leopard, monster trucks. One drawing depicts the skyline of New York before 9-11 reflected in an eye.
“I am in awe,” Kaiser said. “He is so talented. He has created stuff for me. I have different pieces that he has made for me in my office. I have a giving rock with my name on it. I have a Special Olympics picture with the flame. Whenever I look at it, it makes me smile.
“When I saw what they were doing [with this exhibit], it almost brought tears to my eyes. He works so hard and puts so much into his art. It is one of his passions. It is one of the things he likes to do, so I was super excited and happy for him.”
On Friday, Leiker will have his art for sale for the first time.
Kaiser is already planning to purchase a piece that is to be placed on permanent display at the ARC office in Hays.
Michael said he was a little nervous about the exhibit, but added, “It sounds exciting.”
“I just want to have fun,” he said of his art.