State District News: January 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE NEWS

• Opening Celebration of the 6 ^th Annual Visual Art Show on Friday, January 13^th, 6-8 PM, in the lobby of the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center at Charlottesville High School. The show will run from January 13 though March 13 ^th2006. The unique exhibit, full of beautiful and interesting paintings, drawings and other mediums, includes the works of over 65 adult and teen artists with a variety of disabilities who have worked to developed their special abilities in order to achieve their artistic vision. The show includes artists in this region who have shown their works in individual or group exhibits: Gerald Mitchell, Rosemary Balister, Anne Denit, John Trippel, Laura Burrell, Ray-Mond White, Joe Simms, Frances Chisholm, Robyn Miller, Pat Malone and Chapin Faulconer.
• Lori Konkle, Charlottesville VSA artist, had an art exhibit of her mouthstick paintings on Oct. 28 at Riverdale Assisted Living where she lives. Over 80 people attended. She sold 2 large framed paintings, 2 unframed paintings and 29 prints. A total of $1,075 was made for the Bible Translation Ministry of Vitaly Voinov in Tuva, Russia. Lori gives all money she makes on her art to this ministry program.
• Gerald Mitchell, Charlottesville VSA artist currently had a art exhibit at The Jeweler's Eye in October and November.
• Romney Brand and John Trippel, VSA artists from Charlottesville, this fall had individual art exhibits at Breadworks Bakery & Deli.
• Pat Malone, Charlottesville VSA artist and writer, had art and poetry on display at Martha Jefferson Hospital this fall.
• Rose Williams, Charlottesville VSA artist and writer, and 2005 Ms Wheelchair Virginia contestant, this fall has been doing speaking engagements on What the Ms Wheelchair Virginia Pageant is all about and doing Vsa writing workshops with special education students.

FISHERVILLE NEWS

• Please join us in welcoming Lynne Tuckwiller to the VSAVA community. Lynn organizes the arts programming at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. Lynn will be attending the Richmond-area In-service Training next month. Lynn, Mike Kelley (Manager of WWRC's Residential Program) and Erin Hickey (VSAVA Executive Director) are working together to solidify a relationship between our organizations.

LOUDOUN COUNTY NEWS

• Upcoming Puppet Workshop
• January 31st and February 7th in the Mickey Gordon Room on the 2nd Floor; 215 Depot Court S.E., Leesburg VA 20175 from 5:30 to 7:30PM
• Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty. Please call 540-338-7973 to learn more.

RICHMOND NEWS

• Mark your calendars now for the Bell Choir/Ashland Community Chorus Mother's Day Concert and Pot-luck Supper.

Richmond-area In-service Training Workshop

Saturday, February 11th. Coordinators, instructors, volunteers and board members are encouraged to attend.

The workshop will:

· Provide a clear overview of VSAVA's mission and values

· Open discussions about the challenges common to effectively facilitating arts programs with/for people with various disabilities

· Present solutions to those challenges in the context of best practices

· Orient participants to forms and procedures

· Introduce new and existing policies and procedures, available supports, forms and program expectations

VA BEACH NEWS

• After completing a great run this year, the cast and volunteers of the theatre group plan to gather next Saturday for their cast party. They've already decided on a theme for next year -- a country and western revue!
• Heartfelt thanks go out to all who participated in the successful gift-wrapping fundraiser this holiday.