GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – It was an exciting day at WFRV Local 5. To celebrate the station’s seventy years, a local artist created something special.
Jamie Andrastek has watched WFRV Local 5 his entire life, but his favorite person to watch on his TV is meteorologist Jordan Lamers. “He’s an awesome meteorologist, and whenever there is a tornado or something, we watch the weather,” said Andrastek.
Artwork by Jamie Andrastek
Andrastek stopped by the station with his mom to meet Jordan, and after spending some time behind the weather desk, he shared his sketchbooks with us, filled with original artwork bursting with color and creativity.
Jamie was born with autism and uses free-hand drawing to connect with the community in a creative way. His mom, Kristen Henke, said drawing helps him open up socially.
“All his favorite places he started making drawings for them, and then he wanted to frame and give them to them, and I said absolutely. So we framed them, and it’s a great way for Jamie to interact with his community,” said Henke.
Andrastek draws every day, and even gives some of his drawings to local businesses. “I did draw for the mayor, and I did draw for the Urban Air Adventure Park in Appleton, and then I did JD’s, Tom’s, and other places.”
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“It’s his way of reaching out to people and it’s difficult for kids with autism to do that. But it has really helped him grow, and hers become far more social in the last 10 years since he started doing that.”
Kristen Henke – Jamie’s mom
And to celebrate the station, he gifted us a drawing of all the WFRV Local 5 logos dating back to the very beginning, seventy years ago.
“I had to look at it very carefully, and then I had to use my twistable crazy art crayons to color it in,” said Andrastek.
Jamie’s mom says he’s grown so much in recent years, and that his drawings have helped those around him embrace him for who he truly is.
From all of us here at WFRV Local 5, thank you, Jamie, for sharing your passion with us and becoming part of our station’s history.
