Artist Takes Inspiration from Amputation

"Lisa Bufano is an award-winning artist who recently performed her first major dance work to a packed house in New York. She is also a double amputee."

Listen to the story on NPR by by Andrea Shea and see video excerpts from the performance. Click here.

Dreamers Performance/Media Alert

Don’t miss an evening at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center on Sunday, April 22 at 7:00 PM to see one of Richmond’s most innovative and interesting theatre troupes going to work to make the performing arts more accessible to everyone. Last year the Dreamers shared a typical day in high school with Scrapbook Memories. This year’s show promises even more entertainment and fun as the Dreamers present Dream It. Do It. Dreamers is a group of dedicated actors who have the opportunity to showcase their abilities while learning transferable skills. Dreamers makes the performing arts more accessible to everyone while breaking down various stereotypes of disabilities to the world at large.

Tickets are $7.00 at the door and $5.00 in advance. Advance tickets can be purchased at Lipstock Laser & Cataract Center, 3701 Westiere Parkway, Innsbrook, just off of Cox Rd.

Want to get involved? Dreamers seeks volunteers and donations to help make its program and productions successful. Dreamers is sponsored by VSA arts of Virginia and the Weinstein Jewish Community Center.

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VSA arts of Virginia is a member of the international network of VSA arts, an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.VSA arts, an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world.

Opportunity to participate in a research study about careers in the arts

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT FREELY TO ALL WHO MAY BE INTERESTED:

If you are an American with a disability pursuing a primary career in the arts, or if you have been deeply involved in supporting careers in the arts for people with disabilities:

JOIN A "VIRTUAL FOCUS GROUP" ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC!

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?
We are conducting a research project based at the University of Illinois at Chicago called, "Experiences of Individuals with Disabilities Pursuing Careers in the Arts: Creating a National Portrait" funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (PS 04-01). We are gathering data bearing on two primary research questions:

1. What are the barriers and facilitators mediating access to careers in the arts for Americans with disabilities?

2. What are the social, personal, and economic outcomes of training and work in the arts for Americans with disabilities?

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
Next month, we will open a 6-week e-mail discussion forum focusing on one question per week regarding careers in the arts for Americans with disabilities.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
You are eligible to participate in our "virtual focus group" if you are age 18 or over AND you are at least ONE of the following:

--a disabled or nondisabled resident of the U.S. with intensive involvement or experience in arts careers and disability.

--a U.S. resident with a disability working in or pursuing careers involving the arts (e.g., arts training, administration, program development), or a career artist with a disability in the U.S.

HOW TO JOIN:
For more information about participating, contact:

Terri Thrower
Graduate Research Assistant
tthrow1@uic.edu

Contact Ms. Thrower as soon as possible because the enrollment deadline is April 6, and the virtual focus group begins on April 16.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: The researchers conducting this study are Carol J. Gill, Ph.D. and Carrie Sandahl, Ph.D. If you have questions, you may contact the researchers at:

University of Illinois at Chicago (MC 626)
(312) 355-0550 v
1640 W. Roosevelt Road, Room 236
(312) 996-1233 TTY
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 996-0885 fax
E-mail: cg16@uic.edu

VSAVA ART EXHIBIT AT COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING

VSA arts of Charlottesville/Albemarle and Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Department are pleased to announce a new art exhibition at the Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, first floor hallway. The exhibit consists of 30 pieces of art by 15 different artists.

The exhibit features “The Ability Series”, currently consisting of 5 portraits by Romney Brand. Brand’s primitive style of painting is done in bright oils highlighting Charlottesville’s most creative citizens – individuals who despite facing challenges have helped C-ville emerge into a more inclusive community. The fab five depicted in Brand’s initial series are: Nate Brown, Jim Herndon, Herman Key, Jr., Franz Gerhard Stillfried, and Rose Williams. These community leaders are proven advocates for equal opportunities for all citizens – no matter their ability level -- in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area.

Equally impressive are 4 oil paintings by John Trippel of 4 local Charlottesville convenience stores – The B & R Market, Gibson’s Market, Sixth Street Mini-Market and The Belmont Market. These paintings were done on site in summer 2006 and are easily recognized by long time citizens of Charlottesville.

Other works on display are by Chris Wharam, Frances Chisholm, Laura Burrell, Ann Denit, Chapin Faulconer, Rosemary Balister, Martin Powell, Rose Williams, Robert Vandevender, William Greenough, Robyn Miller, Virginia Feltner and a group painting by the Community Based Instructional Program at Albemarle High School.

The public is encouraged to view the exhibit Monday through Friday
8 AM to 5PM. Some of the works are for sale. For further information call 434-970-3264.

Publicize through: 4/20/07 Contact Person: Mildred Spicer, 434-970-3264

Call for Art from VSA arts & Volkswagen

A National Juried Exhibition for Young Artists with Disabilities,
Ages 16 – 25
Deadline: Friday, July 6, 2007, midnight (MST)

Grand Prize: $20,000
First Award: $10,000
Second Award: $6,000
12 Awards of Excellence: $2,000

Sponsored by VSA arts with generous assistance from Volkswagen of America, Inc.


VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

America's love affair with the automobile extends beyond the visual cues of engines and sheet metal. Volkswagen believes that the “heartware” is equally as important as the “hardware.” For people with disabilities, the automobile provides both freedom of mobility and self-expression. Volkswagen. All drivers wanted.

You Could Be The Next Public Radio Host

Check out Public Radio Talent Quest. They're giving away over $70,000 and a chance to create a new show for public radio.

Through Deaf Eyes

Wednesday, March 21 at 9 p.m. on East Coast and West Coast PBS stations

THROUGH DEAF EYES is a two-hour HDTV documentary that explores 200 years of Deaf life in America. The film includes interviews with prominent members of the Deaf community, including Marlee Maitlin and Galludet University president I. King Jordan.

Interwoven throughout the film are six short documentaries produced by Deaf media artists and filmmakers. Poignant, sometimes humorous, these commissioned stories bring a personalized sense of Deaf life in America to the film. Through first person accounts and the film as a whole, THROUGH DEAF EYES tells the story of conflicts, prejudice and affirmation that ultimately reaches the heart of what it means to be human.

For more information, click here.

New Positive Vibe Exhibition

The latest Positive Vibe exhibition has been posted in the Outside the Lines Virtual gallery. Chris Wharam kicks off our 2007 Exhibition with recent works. Chris’s work is abstract and wonderfully imaginative. You’ll also be able to see what the Positive Vibe looks like too!

MusicLink Press

Thanks to Richmond Parents Monthly Magazine for the great article about the Richmond-based MusicLink program.

Xylophone Keys That Open Doors: MusicLink Program Involves Kids Around the World
by Angela Lehman-Rios

Six xylophones, two dozen mallets, eight children and a small room. No, it's not the set for an asprin commercial. It's a MusicLink class. The adults in the class are just as happy as the kids.

Since June a group of parents and children have been meeting weekly with Melissa Owens, a music therapist. The class includes children with disabilities, siblings, parents and friends. They sing, try out instruments and move to the music.

Read the full article -- here.

Festival of the Book in Charlottesville

VSA arts of Virginia - Charlottesville/Albemarle will help with nine events that are part of the Festival of the Book.

VSA arts members will help at the following events:
Rose will be at Post High on March 21 at 1:00
Heather will be at Carver on March 21 at 5:30
Mary will be at Meadowcreek on March 22 at 10:00
Mildred will be at ARC on March 22 at 2:00
Nancy Brockman from PCA will be at Northside Library on March 22 at 6:00 and Tonselor Park on March 23 at 10:30
Diana and Jean will be at Worksource on March 23 at 10
Mildred will be at Carver on March 24 at 2:00
Jean will be at Carver on March 24 at 3:00

Congratulations to Gerry Mitchell

Here's the copy from an article recently publised in the Charlottesville Daily Progress:
Anything but a still life
By David A. Maurer
February 1, 2007

Gloomy skies and a steady rain were having a negative effect on three of the four people waiting at the Water Street bus stop.

Except for the cheerful man sitting in an obviously well traveled wheelchair, they were all complaining about the awful weather. Gerald E. Mitchell listened to the grumbling for a few minutes before offering his own take on the situation.

"I said, 'Well, I just spent three months in the hospital,' " Mitchell said, as a smile appeared on his face. " 'Trust me on this one, this rain is great.

" 'I don't mind sitting here in my electric wheelchair that I hope doesn't short out. And I don't mind that two buses have passed me by, because the lifts didn't work.

"I'm just thrilled to be here.' "

The fact that Mitchell is still very much here is a testament to faith, luck, modern medicine, the power of positive thinking and a keen sense of humor. In 1981 he was given six months to live when he was diagnosed with HIV.

In 1996 when Mitchell became desperately ill with full-blown AIDS, he returned to Charlottesville, his hometown, to die. But instead of dying he learned how to live. As an artist, he entered a new phase of creativity.

Now, at the age of 53, Mitchell is about to have what he suspects might be his last art exhibit. On Friday his show "Joy" opens at the Mudhouse on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall.

Read the rest of the article here.

"Images of Health and Disability 2006- 2007" Photo and Video Contest

"The World Health Organization (WHO) invites photographers and video producers world-wide to participate in a global photo and video contest -- 'Images of Health and Disability 2006-2007'. This year's theme focuses on 'Health and Environment' an invitation to provide high-quality photographs and video clips, capture emotions and give your creativity free reign. The photos and video contest will contribute to WHO's global efforts to raise the awareness of the importance of ensuring healthier environments. Photos can be submitted until 09 March 2007 in four categories: (1) Colour photographs (digital or prints); (2) Black and white photographs (digital or prints); (3) Digital Art photographs (images created or drastically manipulated by computer software or electronic filters); and (4) short video clips. In each category, prizes will be awarded from 100 to 1.000 US-Dollars."
For competition rules, and further information see download the detailed annoucement and entry form here.