About the Artist

Delores Fortuna

In my 40 year career as an artist, I have never identified myself as an artist with disabilities, always choosing to let my work speak first. However, I have a special connection with the Courage Kenny Institute. I was admitted as a 14-month-old baby after contracting polio in August 1949 and was discharged in 1952. I finally walked without my leg braces and crutches when I was 16 after eight orthopedic operations at The University of Wisconsin’s Children’s Hospital. I discovered ceramics, especially wheel throwing, in college at the University of Chicago. Forming clay on the potter’s wheel has always given me the ability to experience the freedom of movement through my hands that I have never been able to experience through my legs. I want my forms and surfaces to express gesture and flow.

Art on display at Courage Kenny and online gallery.