The Artist of the Season - MC Daniel

Written by Samantha Burkardt

There is so much talent under our sparkly roof! From drawing to photography, crocheting to bass playing, Prospects are passionate artists with a lot of sparkle to share. With every guest who walks through our doors, we’re provided the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the public, demonstrating our skills and employability. As an added way to spotlight sparkle, we’ve created our Artist of the Season installation - an expose of Prospects’ art and how we leverage creativity to better our business. 

Enjoy a behind-the-screens look as we dive into the creative process of our Prospects artists. Through this exploration, guests will once again see the value that people with disabilities bring to businesses and their bottom lines. Just as we use movies as a common language to build empathy, we hope this initiative allows guests and Prospects to bond through the shared appreciation of art. We’re eager to share our work with the thousands of weekly moviegoers, service learning participants, and supporters who visit the Prospector each week. 

We are pleased to announce that MC Dan is our first ever Artist of the Season! You might know MC as a rapper extraordinaire, dazzling audiences with his mic skills and music videos. Did you also know he’s a talented illustrator? Sketchbooks and pencils are his medium, and he is now learning how to digitize his work with help from fellow Prospect artist, Zach! MC Dan’s newest project is an ongoing series documenting Prospects at work. His process starts by photographing Prospects, using the picture as a reference for his drawings. With this installation, we hope you enjoy MC’s work, seen through his eyes.

We interviewed The Prospector’s Executive Director, Munchie Santini, about his time working with MC Dan.

How has MC grown while working at the Prospector?

MC Dan is a SPARKLE SUPERNOVA. When he arrived at the Prospector, Dan was more reserved and introspective. During his interviewing process, we discovered Dan’s passion for music and art. As Dan became more comfortable, we mined deeper for that sparkle. Once Dan stepped in front of the mic, it was game over. The confidence he exudes as an emcee set the stage for Dan to bust out of his shell. Now you can catch Dan laying down his latest verse, designing artwork for an upcoming release, or playing the saxophone alongside The Prospect Band. Sparkle on, Dan!  

How does his art make you feel?

Motivated. When a rapper drops some serious bars (or excellent lyrics), it motivates other rappers to step up to the plate and rock the mic. The same thing goes with Dan’s art; it motivates me. When I see his artwork, I want to grab a pencil and pad and be like Dan. 

What’s one thing you want people to know about MC?

In addition to being a talented rapper, artist, saxophonist, and Prospect, Dan is an incredible son, brother, and uncle to his two nephews. He’s also one of my best friends. Dan is hardworking, dedicated, determined, caring, selfless, generous, thoughtful, and unbelievably talented. He is the definition of a true friend and what it means to be a Prospect. 

This installation changes each season. Visit us this summer to see all of Dan’s work displayed in the lower level and visit again in the fall to see the next Artist of the Season! Sparkle on!