Fellowship Opportunity

The Virginia Commission for Arts invites Virginia­ based artists and writers to apply for the 2008­-2009 Artist Fellowships in Crafts and Playwriting
Deadline: August 1, 2008.

Artist Fellowships of $5,000 are awarded annually by the Commission to recognize the creative excellence of individual Virginia artists and to support their pursuit of artistic excellence.

Artists in the disciplines of crafts and playwriting, who are legal residents of Virginia at the application deadline and who plan to remain in the state for the coming year, are eligible to apply for the 2008-2009 Artist Fellowship.

Interested artists may obtain an application by downloading forms from the Commission's web site: www.arts.virginia.gov or by calling the Commission (804­-225­3132).

The Virginia Commission for the Arts is the state agency that supports the arts through funding from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Commission distributes grant awards to artists, arts and other not­-for­profit organizations, educational institutions, educators and local governments, and provides technical assistance in arts management.

For information about the Virginia Commission for the Arts or its programs contact: 223 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219­-2010
804­-225-­3132
www.arts.virginia.gov

People With Epilepsy Invited to Submit Artwork for National

Deadline: July 16, 2008
The sixth annual Expressions of Courage national art contest provides people with epilepsy the opportunity to showcase their talents and perspectives of the world around them through art.
Sponsored by the Ortho-McNeil Neurologics Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation, the contest is open to all Americans diagnosed with epilepsy. A panel of epilepsy advocates and art industry representatives
will serve as contest judges and will announce the winning artwork in September. Winning entries will be selected based on creativity and the ability to demonstrate feelings of living with epilepsy through art.
Contest entries will be categorized into three age groups: children age 12 or younger; teens between the ages of 13 and 17; and adults 18 years of age or older. Artwork may be created in ink, pencil, crayon, paint, or a combination of these materials and must be on paper or board.
Winning artwork will be featured on the contest Web site and either in calendars or coffee table books available in local Epilepsy Foundation offices and select physician offices nationwide. In addition, a few winning pieces may be chosen by curators from the Society for the Arts in Healthcare for display in a traveling art exhibition.
Complete program information and entry forms are available from the contest website.

Two Grant Opportunities for Cancer Survivors

Lilly Oncology on Canvas 2008 Art Competition
Deadline: June 30, 2008
The Lilly Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey Art Competition and Exhibition was developed by Eli Lilly and Company in 2004 as a way to honor the journeys people embark upon when confronted with a cancer diagnosis. Lilly Oncology presents the 2008 Lilly Oncology on Canvas Art Competition and Exhibition in partnership with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. More…
Capelli d’Angeli Foundation
Capelli d’Angeli Foundation is offering a limited number of fellowship grants of up to $500 each, for women artists who are in treatment or survivors of cancer and are creating art in all media. Grant recipients and award amounts will be determined after a thorough review of the artist’s work as shown by her images. More…

National Juried Exhibition for Young Artists with Disabilities (Ages 16 – 25)

Sponsored by VSA arts with generous assistance from Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Grand Prize: $20,000
First Award: $10,000
Second Award: $6,000
12 Awards of Excellence: $2,000

"Contemporary art challenges us…it broadens our horizons. It asks us to think beyond the limits of conventional wisdom."
- Eli Broad

A green light signals “GO!” and permission to proceed. What revs you up as an artist and moves you to create? What signals the spark of creativity? Imagine that you receive a signal to drive your own future. Describe the experience and how you will direct your route – both artistically and personally. How does art give you permission to be who you are? Consider the infinite possibilities that art (or creativity) provides.

We are interested in both representational and abstract work. Artwork may illustrate actual aspects of what signals your creative motivations such as the physical world or personal discoveries. Abstract work that relates to feelings or emotions is also encouraged. Work might also reflect your experience of living with a disability and its role in shaping or transforming your work.

Details including eligibility can be found on our national website.

All Kids Can Create

You can create, and creating leads to learning! VSA arts and CVS Caremark All Kids Can invite children and youth to submit artwork showing us your creativity. Explore new activities, challenge your perceptions, discover your inner artist and submit your work of art today!
Deadline: Friday, March 14, 2008
More information: All Kids Can Create

Call for Entries: Visual Arts

Derivative Composition

Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2008

VSA arts is seeking visual artists with disabilities whose work is inspired by the performing arts.

Work must have a visual component. Eligible media include, but are not limited to two- and three-dimensional art (painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, textile, glass, etc.) Applicants from a wide range of practices, such as digital arts, installation, and time-based media, are also encouraged to apply.

Open to artists (ages 18 and over) who are committed to their artistic progress and who have a physical, cognitive, or mental disability.

Learn more here.

NCLD's 2008 "Voices of LD" Competition

From NCLD:
Calling all creative people with learning disabilities.

In honor of our 31st anniversary, the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is looking for self-portraits that capture what life is like for individuals with learning disabilities (LD).

What story does your portrait tell? Share with us expressions of your hopes, dreams, struggles and successes. Show us what the world is like through your eyes. Help us to celebrate the unique vision of children and adults affected by LD.

Selected submissions will be showcased on our Web site and at our Annual Benefit Dinner in April. In addition, our grand prize will be a trip to New York City and a chance to attend our Annual Benefit Dinner honoring Ted Turner. Two runners-up will receive $200 each. Prizes will be awarded for outstanding works in each of the following categories:

* Children: 4-12 years old
* Teens: 13-17 years old
* Adults: 18 and older

To enter, please send NCLD your submission(s), a photo of the artist, a short paragraph (three to five sentences) written by the artist detailing their experience with LD, and completed release forms. Grand prize winners must provide relevant documentation of a specific learning disability.

If you have any questions, please email Teneille Craig. All entries must be received no later than Friday, February 8, 2008. Click here to download rules and requirements of the competition.

The Art of Surviving

We're helping our friend Terry Lynn Smith spread the word:

The Art of Surviving: 3rd Annual Art Show
featuring female artists who have survived breast cancer, mastectomies, or other breast issues.

Seeking female artists who have survived breast issues that would like to share their experiences and stories through their works of art during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 2007.

The Art of Surviving show will open on October 26 at 7:00 p.m. and will display through November 18, 2007 at Art Works
in the Corner Gallery on 320 Hull Street Richmond, Virginia.

Call for entries will be on Saturday, October 20 from Noon – 4:00 p.m. in Studio 125 at Art Works. Artists may submit up to 4 entries. The cost per entry is $5.00. This will be an all media juried show. Work may be of any subject matter that is considered healing to the artist. Artwork may be for sale or for showing only. Artists are encouraged to attend the opening of the show. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Art Works.

The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation will be present to answer questions and share the latest information about breast cancer. Donations may be made that evening to the VBCF in honor or in memory of those whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.

For more information on entry submission, please contact Terry Lynn Smith by October 20th at fibrowoman@hotmail.com or calling 804-731-2481.

Ukrops Parade Poster Contest

24th Annual Ukrop’s Christmas Parade Poster Contest

THEME: “MAKING RICHMOND HOLIDAY MEMORIES”

WHO: Designers (adults, youth and children) to create a poster that captures the spirit of our city’s Christmas Parade. Submissions will be judged in three categories:

Adult (age 18 and over)
Youth (age 12 to 17)
Child (age 8 to 11)

WHAT: Draw from your favorite parade memory or fashion a piece that shows a bit of everything that makes the parade such a favorite—floats, balloons, marching bands, specialty groups and, of course, Santa!

WHEN: The time to get creative is NOW!
Poster submissions are due by: Friday, September 7th
(for use for the Ukrop’s Christmas Parade in 2007)

HOW: Artwork should be at least 11” x 17” in size (suitable to be converted to a poster). The more colorful and festive the better!

Original artwork cannot be returned. Richmond Parade, Inc. reserves the right to use submitted artwork for promotional purposes related to the Ukrop’s Christmas Parade.

WHERE: Submissions may be turned in the Richmond Parade Office, 2500 Grenoble Rd. or at Art Works, 320 Hull St., www.artworksrichmond.com.

QUESTIONS?: For more information, please contact Richmond Parade, Inc. at: 804-559-6113 or visit www.info@capitalcityholidayfest.org

Winners will receive four VIP passes to all Parade events and will be recognized in printed materials.

Terry Lynn Smith

Our good friend Terry Lynn Smith recently announced that her website has been updated with new work and scheduled shows. Visit the site here.

Want to share your latest news with the VSA arts of Virginia community? Send your news to ehickey_at_vsava.org. (Please replace "_at_" with the @ symbol).

VSA National Call for Entries

"Driven" Call for Entries

Deadline: July 6, 2007 (midnight, MST).

Sponsored by VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Open to emerging artists with disabilities, ages 16 -25, living within the U.S.

No entry fee. "Driven" challenges artists to pinpoint the motivational force behind their artistic expression and to identify the catalyst that sustains their creative energy. Art must be an original work that has been completed in the last three (3) years. Eligible media includes: paintings, drawings, fine art prints, photography, computer-generated prints, and mixed media; must be presented in two dimensions. Artwork should not exceed 60 inches in either direction. Fifteen (15) finalists will be awarded a total of $60,000 in awards during an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill in September 2007, and artwork will be displayed in a nation-wide touring exhibition that debuts at the Smithsonian.

For additional information and to access the application, please visitor contact: http://www.vsarts.org/VWcall
Phone: 800.933.8721 x3885
Email: jenniferw@vsarts.org
Alternative formats of the application are available upon request.

National Arts Program Call for Art

Artists of all ages and levels of experience invited to display their art and compete for prize money!

The National Arts Program(r) at Richmond, coordinated by Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, invites artists of all ages and levels of experience to participate in exhibitions and compete for a total of $2,440 in prize money. There are no fees and all art submitted according to the rules of exhibit will be displayed.

Youth ages 5-17 are invited to compete in the Youth and Teen Showcase, to be held at Science Museum of Virginia.

Adult artists compete in Creative Reflections, to be held at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center.

Now in its ninth year in Richmond, The National Arts Program(r) is one of the most innovative grass roots arts projects in the country and has achieved widespread recognition for successfully nurturing creativity and fostering self-confidence among artists.

Registration brochures providing details on how to enter are available on line here. They are also available at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, or by calling 646-3674.

The deadline for registration is June 13, and the art shows will be held July 2-20.The National Arts Program is sponsored by the National Arts Program Foundation of Malvern PA; Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facility's art program, and Science Museum of Virginia. For more information, call 804-646-3674.

A Deaf Artist in Early America: The Worlds of John Brewster

PORTLAND, MAINE.- The Portland Museum of Art presents A Deaf Artist in Early America: The Worlds of John Brewster, Jr., on view January 25, 2007 - March 25, 2007. The first comprehensive exhibition on the important American painter John Brewster, Jr. (1766-1854), this show features 50 outstanding paintings illustrating the full range of Brewster’s long and successful career. Brewster was not an artist who incidentally was Deaf but rather a Deaf artist, one in a long tradition that owes many of its features and achievements to the fact that Deaf people are, as scholars have noted, visual people. The exhibition and companion book provide a major assessment of Brewster’s life and art within his four worlds: his artistic influences, his distinctive painting style and techniques, his elite clientele, and the world of the Deaf in early America. He is particularly noted for his portraits of children, who are depicted with an angelic innocence rarely achieved in portrait painting.

The exhibition was organized by the Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, New York, and is funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the American Folk Art Society, Robert and Katharine Booth, and Jon and Rebecca Zoler. This exhibition has been made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces program.

The Portland venue has been generously sponsored by Norton Insurance and Financial Services. Media support has been provided by WCSH 6 and Port City Life.

You can find more information about John Brewster's life and work by visiting Antiques and the Arts Online.

Image credit: John Brewster Jr, "One Shoe Off,” 1807, possibly Connecticut, 34 7/8 by 24 7/8 inches. Fenimore Art Museum.