NORWICH – The Artists’ Palette of Norwich and Chobani are partnering to sponsor a unique exhibit for local artist and Multiple Sclerosis survivor Frank Feitsma. The gallery opening, scheduled to run from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Artists’ Palette in Norwich, will feature an appearance by Feitsma, who hopes to sell some of his works to allow him to keep painting.

Feitsma, currently of Binghamton, has been battling the life-long debilitating disease of MS since he was diagnosed at age 27. He gradually lost the mobility of his arms and legs to the disease. Despite these losses and an impaired ability to speak, Feitsma has found a way to communicate with friends and family through art.

Feitsma, also known as “Frankie Picasso,” grew up on a family farm in Earlville and worked at the Sherburne Great American as a young adult. Beginning as a bag boy, Feitsma worked his way up through the ranks to grocery manager.

Since the onset of his disabilities, Feitsma has turned to art – something he admits he thought very little of as a form of expressing his emotions prior to his diagnosis,.

Feitsma began his art career as a participant in the Binghamton Magic Paintbrush Project, a program that helps people with disabilities to express themselves through creative means. There, he learned his unique painting technique – using his mouth and a plastic tube of paint.

Recently, Feitsma left the non-profit program and is now producing creations in his home, with hopes of being able to sell his abstract works to continue buying paint supplies and to help cover the costs of medical bills.

The Artists’ Palette and Chobani are now giving Feitsma his first solo opportunity to display and sell his art.