by Zandra Wolfgram
Kevin Spencer believes the art of magic can change lives.
Simply, because it changed his.
“I’ve always loved magic. I remember when I was 5 years-old telling my mom I was going to be a magician,” he says.
He pulled off that trick and much more.
Today, he is an educator, teaching artist, researcher, award-winning film producer, speaker and entertainer. For more than 25 years Spencer, 52, toured the world with one of the largest and most successful theatrical illusion productions in the U.S. He has earned considerable accolades including 2009 International Illusionist of the Year, 2015 International Magician of the Year and six-time recipient of Performing Arts Entertainer of the Year.
At the pinnacle of his career he stepped away from the stage and into classrooms and hospitals
“I had this connection with people with disabilities, because I am a traumatic brain injury survivor,” Spencer explains. “I know experientially what people deal with every day of their lives. I know what it’s like for people to look at you and think that maybe you are less capable than you are, because of stereotypes.”
At his core, Spencer is a champion for diversity and inclusion. “We all too often look at people with disabilities and think there’s nothing they can add, or how do we fix them? We need to focus on finding the strengths, they can build and contribute to the best of their ability,” he says.
Magic is a through-line in Spencer’s work, because it was a critical part of his healing process. But he is not your typical magician; he insists on telling his secrets!
“When you teach a disabled person a magic trick,” Spencer explains. “Giving them the ability to do something that an able-bodied person can’t replicate, is such a powerful experience for them, they feel like: If I can do this, I can do anything.”
Spencer, who lives in Arkansas, is passionate about creating inclusive communities. His work focuses on using the art of magic to impact the lives of children with autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual challenges, emotional behavior disorders and those who have experienced trauma. His program, “Hocus Focus,” is a 2020 nominee for the Zero Project Award, which recognizes innovative practices and models that improve the daily lives of persons with disabilities.
As part of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s ArtsReach program, he will work with children, students and adults with disabilities during a week-long residency.
Spencer is uniquely qualified for the specific work he does.
“I live in these two strange worlds—I have one foot in the performing arts industry [he is the 2020 Artist of the Year by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals] and one firmly planted in academia [he is a professor at the University of Carlow; a subject matter expert for U.S. Department of State; and a research consultant in the occupational therapy program at both University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Institute for Arts in Medicine.]
With the wave of MKAF education director Melanie Moore’s wand, Spencer has returned to host the MKAF Arts Guild Lunch on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at the elegant new Hotel Effie from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spencer’s presentation is entitled “Hocus Focus: Spotlight on Arts Education.”
During his special guest appearance as part of MKAF’s new Artful Dining series, Spencer will share his deeply personal story, explain why he’s so passionate about using magic to help populations with disabilities, help the audience bridge the connections between healthcare and education … and perform a little magic!
“When I say magician, a certain image comes to mind,” Spencer says. “People don’t typically connect that image with disability, healthcare or special education. I want to stretch outside that box so people can realize that all art forms, including magic, can be used in really powerful and significant ways to not only transform our communities, but transform the lives of people who live in our communities.”
This Arts Guild Lunch will allow the community to get a rare glimpse into MKAF’s ArtsReach efforts that are normally not open to the public. Proceeds from the event will benefit MKAF and its ArtsReach programs.
“Kevin Spencer is not only a master illusionist but also a trailblazer in the field of adaptive arts education,” says Moore. “This spellbinding event promises to educate and inspire. I invite the community to come and join us. Proceeds will enable us to continue to bring the magic of the arts to people of all abilities.”
Tickets are $45 per person for MKAF members and $55 per person for non-members. Tables of eight are $450 and sponsor tables of 10 are $750.
For more information on how to join the MKAF 26th season as a member and purchase tickets, visit the Foundation’s website at www.MKAF.org or call (850) 650-2226.
