Research has shown that participating in creative outlets helps create stronger social relationships, reduces stress, and allows us to develop a deeper appreciation for the world around us while helping to improve mental health. And thanks to one man’s interest in art, a new opportunity to follow creative pursuits has opened for people living with ALS.

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After retiring from a 50-year career in computer technology in 2015, Ken Baltes was finally able to follow his creative interests and focus on his passion for the arts. After he was diagnosed with ALS in 2020, he made it his goal to bring his love of the arts to others who are living with ALS.

Ken quickly joined an Association local board serving Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and became very active in the ALS community. To help make his dream a reality, he organized a committee to help and they got to work. It was this devotion to creative arts that led to the original launch of Creative Pursuits in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The nationwide Creative Pursuits Program is being led by Liz Stanley who brings a vast background in art education and has been teaching art from preschool age to adults, in every medium, for 16 years. Liz lost her best friend, who was an amazing artist, to ALS. After moving back to the U.S. after seven years teaching abroad in Turkey, Cambodia and Costa Rica, she joined the Association and agreed to take on the challenge.

This unique program is designed to assist individuals living with ALS to live fully as the disease progresses by using art to enhance self-confidence, ease anxiety, and experience self-expression. It provides opportunities for people to participate in creative arts by way of classes, experiences, and connections.

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The program originally kicked off with a tour of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis in the summer of 2023. The museum’s amazing tour guides provided a balanced experience of viewing and learning about the works of Pacita Abad and Paul Chan; great conversations about art, and a little time to learn a new artistic skill.

Mark Mueller is living with ALS and was thrilled he was able to participate in the June Walker Art Center tour. In fact, he was so excited about the experience, he quickly signed up for the next museum tour as well as an upcoming writing class.

“This program is more than creative experiences, though,” says Liz. “It is about setting aside the stresses of the disease for a brief time, living a full and balanced life, and building a stronger community of peers."

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