Arts Access Newsletter February 2006

No Foolin' - We’re 20! is the theme of the second annual VSA arts of Minnesota Silent Auction and Cabaret. The 20th anniversary celebration will toast the achievements of artists with disabilities as well as all the advocates who have promoted greater access to the arts for people with disabilities.

Art by Mari Newman of South Minneapolis graces the invitation for this year’s fund-raiser. Please come to the Cabaret (No Foolin' - it's the day after April Fools)!

Billy McLaughlin will headline the entertainment at No Foolin' We’re 20! Silent Auction and Cabaret, the second annual fund-raiser for VSA arts of Minnesota. Come hear Billy perform - as well as Carei Thomas & Friends - at the lovely Nicollet Island Pavilion.

The Time: Sunday, April 2, 2006 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.
The Place: Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power Street, Minneapolis.
The Entertainers: Five-time Minnesota Music award winner Billy McLaughlin is “coming back” and will play many of his haunting melodies - with a newly adapted performing style. Also onstage will be jazz master Carei Thomas & Friends.
The Fun: Anticipate several hundred intriguing Silent Auction items - from restaurants and show tickets to original art, costumes, collectibles, travel deals and more!
The Food: Gourmet desserts, hors d’oeuvres, liquid refreshments (alcoholic & non-alcoholic)
The Deal: Tickets to this afternoon of fun are $30, and all proceeds will benefit the statewide programs of VSA arts of Minnesota!

If you have an item, service or gift certificate to donate to the Silent Auction, please complete the Silent Auction Donation Form, or call the office for a fax or mail form and to arrange for a drop-off or pick-up. Forms are due by March 17. The Silent Auction catalog will be on the website March 15 to help plan your bidding strategy.

Tickets can be purchased online or by using our printable form. Bring your friends!

Six Minnesota artists have been awarded $1,000 grants through the 2005 VSA arts of Minnesota Artist Recognition Program. The tenth annual competitive grant, funded by a Jerome Hill Centennial Grant, recognizes excellence by Minnesota artists with disabilities. Grantees selected from 35 applicants are:

Shoshana Elana, Minneapolis Visual artist.
Alissa Hullett, Faribault visual artist.
Raymond Luczak, Minneapolis writer.
John T. Medeiros, Minneapolis writer.
Christine A. Sikorski, Minneapolis writer.
Leili Tajadod Pritschet, Minneapolis performer/choreographer.

The Recognition Grants were awarded following a jurying process conducted by individuals with extensive backgrounds in the written, visual and performing arts. Samples of their work are found below.

Poem: "zero"

can look like a basket closed
with a ribbon

can draw your eyes inside
to completion

or outside to emptiness

a teacher says the painted line
exists only in your mind

so you take one end of the ribbon
in each hand

and let zero open

suddenly you find yourself
streaming through boundless sky

even as the ribbon flutters away
you remain buoyed up

passing for a wild bird
whose feet have forgotten

how the earth once felt certain

(for Kaz Tanahashi)

by Christine Sikorski
- first printed in Water Stone, published Fall 2004 by Hamline University.

Poem: "Desire"

It lies awake
lonely in its folded skin.

Broken wing recalling
the day when it was God.

Unleashed to the world,
a giant. Too alive to be afraid.

This thing gnaws at us,
gnaws as if we were trees,

alive only to feed the ants
who gather at our feet

and carry our bark like
skin because they can. It gnaws

until our flesh is raw, until
we are no better than the snake.

by John T. Medeiros
For more of John's work,
visit John Medeiros, Writer - Poet (www.jmedeiros.net).

Poem: "Tres Canards"

Trios of ducks came quacking from nowhere,
in the restaurant. We were, well, surprised,
but we pretended not to notice them.

They were mere children running past tables,
chasing and twitching their tails and chortling.
All their white wings flew into a spottle.

They leaped onto the table before us,
stretched their necks to a sudden opening,
above. Arms big as night swooped down and took.

Where had they gone? We looked at our menus.
Gusts of wind flew in and carried us up.
Exploding clouds, we saw the Seine below.

There a thousand quacks became a symphony,
twitches of tails as Paris lit alive.

by Raymond Luczak
- originally published in the Brooklyn Review, 2005.
For more of Raymond's work, visit Raymond Luczak: A dreamer who's only begun.. (www.raymondluczak.com).

Artist Recognition Grant selection panelists were:

Patsy Dew, Northfield Arts Guild program director.
Steve Downing, Grand Rapids, executive director, MacRostie Art Center.
Sarah Fehr, Saint Paul, executive director, Eastside Arts Council.
Jarod Santek, Minneapolis, director of programs for writers, The Loft.
Julianna Skluzacek, Owatonna, artistic director, Merlin Players; playwright.
Norman Steere, Theatre Associates of Stillwater, fiber artist.

Naomi Cohn of Saint Paul was one of 11 poets to receive a 2006 Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant. She received $4,400 to research, draft and refine a cycle of poems using museums, parks and museum objects as touchstones for writing about memories of her father. Naomi was a 2004 recipient of the VSA arts of Minnesota Recognition Award. Her poetry, novels and writing for nonprofit organizations has also been recognized with a Norcroft residency and selection by the Family Housing Fund for the Home Sweet Home Again exhibit. Her work has appeared in Fish Stories, Disclosure, River Reporter and Conscious Choice. Her community involvement has included cochairing the National Writers Union Twin Cities Local.

Maureen Pranghofer of Golden Valley has released her second CD: Arise, Songs for People Who Are Grieving, Hurting, Healing and Recovering. Her first CD, "Some Run the Race," contains 12 original songs sung by well-known Christian artists in the Minneapolis area. For more information: Maureen at 763-522-2501 or Maureen's Music (www.maureensmusic.com).

Morgan Grayce Willow of Minneapolis was recently published in a New Women’s Voices chapbook series. Arpeggio of Appetite, a collection of cinquains (a five-line, 22-syllable form similar to Japanese haiku) is available for $12 from Finishing Line Press, PO Box 1626, Georgetown, KY 40324; Finishing Line Press (www.finishinglinepress.com), under "2005 New Releases"

Raymond Luczak of Minneapolis has written a third collection of poems, Sylvia Plath Made Me Do It: A Story in Verse, about an overweight teenage girl who becomes obsessed with the poetry and suicide of Sylvia Plath. A deaf filmmaker and writer of six published books, 13 produced plays, and two full-length documentaries, Luczak recently returned to his Upper Midwestern roots after living 21 years on the East Coast. For more information: Raymond Luczak - A dreamer who's only begun.. (www.raymondluczak.com) or Immediate Sensation Books (www.isbooks.com).

Minnesota artists with mental illness are invited to submit work for "Art of the Mind," an exhibit at the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids. The exhibit will run May 5-25 with a reception May 5 from 5-7 pm.

Up to five submissions per artist are due by March 1. Identify all slides, photos and digital imagery with name, contact info, title of work, size, artistic medium, 2 or 3-dimension, and price if for sale. Enclose SASE for return of submission pictures and notification of committee’s decisions. Accepted work must be received display-ready by April 28. MAC charges a 40% commission on art sales. Artists are responsible for their own insurance. Send to: MacRostie Art Center, PO Box 365, 405 First Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MN 55744. For more information: Steve Downing: phone: 218-326-2697, email: macrostiesd@qwest.net, Web site: MacRostie Art Center (www.macrostieartcenter.org).

Previously headquartered in Shoreview, the Ramsey Center for Arts has opened a second Gallery for art and classes in a city-owned house in Lake Elmo, 3585 Laverne Avenue N.

Living Creatively, its first exhibit, featured creative work by Saint Croix Valley visual artists, writers and per-formers with mental illness, including Sunny Steinmetz & Robb Swanlund.

The Lake Elmo Gallery will be open daily except Mondays. For information on art classes (organized by Art St. Croix), exhibits or volunteering, call Robert Meyer, president, or Daphne Thompson, at 651-256-1407 or email: RamseyCntr4Arts@aol.com.

Hello! I am Amie Pence, Arts in Education Coordinator with V S A arts of Minnesota. I earned my degree in Art Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. My experiences include teaching in the Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Duluth school districts, coordinating daily activities for people with disabilities as a Service Facilitator, and developing and implementing a visual art program for people with special needs in Mankato. I enjoy being involved in the art community and developing my work in ceramics.

Amie succeeds Kristi Gaudette, who left VSA arts of Minnesota after five years to work for Prior Lake Community Education. Best wishes, Kristi, Chris and Maddie!

VSA arts has issued a national call for art for Transformation, an exhibition by artists with disabilities (22 or over) from around the world that will take place in Washington, DC in June. Artists are invited to create art that reflects on a pivotal moment in their life that led them to a greater understanding of their art and/or disability. Deadline is Friday, March 24. All materials are at VSA arts, Transformation 2006 (www.vsarts.org/transformation).

VSA arts is also seeking art from students K-12 plus Transition for A View from my Window, an exhibition opening in June at Union Station in Washington, DC, and then moving throughout the U.S. Deadline at VSA arts of Minnesota is February 21.

In collaboration with Minnesota Low Incidence Projects, VSA arts of Minnesota is seeking art for Art from the Heart, an exhibition for students K-12 plus Transition who have a developmental cognitive disability. The art will be displayed April 19-20 at the Statewide Developmental Cognitive Disabilities Conference.

Augsburg College and VSA arts of Minnesota present the fifth annual Metro Arts Festival on Friday, April 21, from 10 am to 2 pm. Middle school students with developmental cognitive disabilities and peers from their school will be treated to a performance and participate in hands-on sessions with guest artist Joko Sutrisno exploring ways to "Feel the Beat" using drumming, movement, dance and instrument-making. The free Metro Arts Festival will take place at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. At least half of each school group’s participants must be on an Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan. If you are interested in attending, please contact amie@vsaartsmn.org.

Student artists age 14-21 living in Ramsey County are eligible to participate in ArtsWork, an arts-based summer youth employment and training program made available by COMPAS. Artists with disabilities are able to participate through a partnership between COMPAS and VSA arts of Minnesota. Accommodations for students who have an Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan include transportation, communication, behavioral support, etc. Artists who participate in ArtsWork can develop vocational skills such as time management and teamwork, sharpen social skills by interacting with others, increase confidence, broaden understanding of different cultures, and gain work experience that can be integrated into an IEP/Transition Plan. To learn more about ArtsWork, contact Shelia Bland, ArtsWork Director, phone: 651-292-3265, email: shelia@compas.org (Shelia Bland) or amie@vsaartsmn.org (Amie Pence at VSA arts of MN).

VSA arts of Minnesota joins forces with area community organizations and artists to make quality arts classes available and accessible to students with disabilities. If your center is searching for opportunities to develop classes, or if you are interested in having VSA arts of Minnesota coordinate trainings or workshops at your school or college, contact amie@vsaartsmn.org for more details.

On Tuesday evening, May 2, Perrin Boyd, professional artist and educator, will present a workshop for educators discussing her residency work and techniques to adapt projects for students with special needs. Time and location at the University of Minnesota Duluth TBA. Please register with Amie Pence.

VSA arts and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, merged forces on Sept. 26. The merger is not expected to change the mission of VSA arts. Both will continue to have separate boards, 501(c)(3) status, funding, etc.

The Minnesota Department of Education awarded VSA arts of Minnesota its Arts in Education RFP last fall. The $40,000 grant covers the next two fiscal years.

Congress recently finished appropriations for fiscal year 2006. Funding for the US Department of Education Arts in Education program is $35.28 million; a 1% cut. This program funds VSA arts ($7.33 million), the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and other programs. Thanks to our Senate and House friends who consistently work to secure funding for the Arts in Education line item!

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding is $124.4 million – an increase of $3.2 million, or 2.6% over FY05. The National Endowment for Humanities received $141.02 million for FY06, an increase of 2.15%. The Office of Museum Services is funded at $30.98 million, an increase of $700,000.

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts will convene this year’s Arts Advocacy Day on Thursday, March 9. Arts advocates will meet first at the Minnesota History Center and then in teams visit legislators at the State Capitol.

National Arts Advocacy Days will be March 13-14, when grassroots advocates join national cultural and civic organizations in Washington, DC, to underscore the importance of developing strong public policies and appropriating increased public funding for the arts. Monday, March 13, will offer speakers (like William Safire) and training about current arts issues. On Tuesday attendees will head to the Hill to meet members of Congress.

For more information about participating in state or national Arts Advocacy Days, contact Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, phone: 651-251-0868, email: mca@mtn.org, Web sites: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (www.mtn.org/mca) or Americans for the Arts (http://capwiz.com/artsusa).

Interact Center for Visual & Performing Arts in Minneapolis will perform The CRASH Project, a collaboration of 15 artists who have experienced and survived Traumatic Brain Injury. Conceived and directed by performing arts director Lola Lesheim, the project also involves Scott Reynolds, Jonathon Nelson, Faith Farrell and other Interact artists. Previewing April 26, Crash will be performed May 5-26 at 212 North Third Avenue, one block off Washington Avenue in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. For more information: 612-339-5145 or Interact Center for Visual & Performing Arts (www.interactcenter.com).

The Arts Ambassador Program of VSA arts of Minnesota is designed to bring an artist with a disability into classrooms around the state for short presentations to students with and without disabilities, ages 14-21 (the transition years).

Arts Ambassadors can talk about or demonstrate their professional work in the arts, providing an audience of students and teachers a positive model of an artist with a disability. In 45 to 90 minutes, Arts Ambassadors can share information about other artists with disabilities, offer new options to students with limited exposure to particular art forms, describe the diversity of people with whom young people may work or play as adults, and identify resources and opportunities available through VSA arts of Minnesota or its partners. Time is allowed for student questions.

Each student will complete a brief pre- and post-survey to assess their awareness of disability in general, of the activity of people with disabilities in the arts and of their feelings about people with disabilities. In addition, teachers will be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding curricular relevance, age and ability appropriateness and suggestions for improvements.

This year's Arts Ambassadors are:
Michael Deutsch, keyboardist;
Alec Sweazy, pianist/accordian;
Carei Thomas, pianist/composer;
Alissa Hullett, multi-media visual artist;
Bob Saxon, sculptor.

Teachers and school administrators can arrange for school visits by contacting Amie Pence at VSA arts of Minnesota to determine any accommodations needed based on age, disability or classroom setting. A school fee of $100 will offset a portion of the project expenses. Schools will also receive an electronic copy of Putting Creativity to Work: Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities, created by VSA arts and published by the Social Security Administration in 2000.

Eric Peterson, 46, an advocate for accessible arts and disability rights from Minneapolis, died October 3 of complications from diabetes. Eric served on the VSA arts of Minnesota board from 1995 to 2002, and as president from 1997 to 2000 when the organization’s name changed from Very Special Arts Minnesota. A career volunteer since losing his sight after college, he was active with the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities, Minnesota Association of Community Theatres board (1996-2005), his Linden Hills Neighborhood Association, and in DFL precinct politics. He acted with Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, Theatre in the Round, Park Square Theatre, and Fireside Theatre, for which he won an award directing Whenever Frances Looks Up at MACTFest 2001. A frequent attender of Audio Described theatre events, he won a 2002 Jaehny Award for his efforts in making the arts accessible for people with disabilities.

Eric generously donated art, costumes, and collectibles to upcoming fund-raisers for VSA arts of Minnesota and MACT. He is survived by his mother Peggy, two brothers, Raymond and Steven (Debra), one nephew, Kurt, and his guide dog, Shawn.

At the VSA arts of Minnesota annual meeting on October 18, Stephen Danko was reelected to his third term as board president. Co-owner of Jean Stephen Galleries in downtown Minneapolis, he is joined by fellow officers:
Vice President: Mark Siegel, policy consultant, Pathways to Employment, Minnesota Department of Human Services;
Treasurer: Rick Vogt, attorney, Mackall, Crounse & Moore, PLC;
Secretary: Lisa Skluzacek, Contract Manager, General Mills.

Elected to 3-year terms on the board were:
Wade Karli, assistant director of the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind in Faribault;
Jimmie Hanson, a social worker at Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis (and a previous board member).

Reelected to 3-year terms were:
Steve Danko, Bloomington, and
Jaime Becker, disability advocate for home care clients, Saint Paul.

Other board members are:
Cathy Carlson, teacher, Sanford Middle School, Minneapolis;
Sue Warner, communications manager for Courage Center, Golden Valley;
Nancy Straw, president of West Central Initiative in Fergus Falls.

The VSA arts Endowment Fund has grown to $4,385 in its first year. Committee members seeking long-term financial contributions and guiding investments are Mark Siegel, Paul Puerzer, Jaime Becker, Steve Schmidt, Lisa Skluzacek and ex-officio Steve Danko and Craig Dunn.

Our best wishes for recovery from cancer to Cathy Carlson, who is being treated with chemotherapy and is to have surgery this spring. She is continuing to teach and remain on the board.

Donations received through January 15, 2006. If we missed your name, please contact VSA arts of Minnesota. (italic = in-kind).

Memorials (unrestricted):
In memory of Eric Peterson:
Alayne Dolson, Craig Dunn & Candy Hart, Susan Howe, Elin Ohlsson, Rachel Parker, Peggy Peterson, Mary Jo Savage & Steele Propp, Jon Skaalen.
In memory of Nathan Schmidt:
Kurt Augustine, David Lloyd.
In memory of Jim and Carol Scott:
Robyn Alexander.

Gifts to the Endowment Fund
Jaime Becker
In memory of Nathan Schmidt:
Roselyn Bender, Audrey Betcher, Kent & Julia Boysen, Ardell Brede, Elizabeth Childs, JoAnn Colvin, Kimberly Hocker, Margene Jenquin, Bob & Doris Lauersdorf, Cary McNallan, Jeffrey Pike, Rochester Civic Music, Barbara Saunders, Steve & Elizabeth Schmidt, Susan Steinbach, Delores Wriedt.

Major Benefactors ($10,000+):
ArtSpace Projects, Jerome Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota State Arts Board, Saint Paul Travelers Foundation, United Arts, VSA arts (through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education).

Benefactors ($1,000+):
Jaime Becker, Beim Foundation, General Mills Foundation, Guthrie Theater, Nevin Huested Foundation, Medtronic Foundation, Lisa Skluzacek, Mary Vavra-Gibis & Chuck Gibis.

Advocates ($100+):
Carol Anderson, Britta Beeck, Bob & Kay Burland, Cathy Carlson, Cornerstone Copy Center, Stephen & Jean Danko, Bob Day, Joe Dowling & Siobhan Cleary, Mavis Dunn, Craig Dunn & Candy Hart, Taras & Mary Dykstra, Pam Elliott & Jane Skorina, Clete Fleming, Pam & Jim Hall, Dolores & Merle Hart, Jean Stephen Galleries, Janet Jones, Kathy Klein & Scott Fink, Dodie Kostishack, Minnesota Brass Inc., Moore Family Fund, William Muchow, Tony O'Donahue & Shelly Svoboda, Park State Bank - Warehouse District, Mrs. Peggy Peterson, Barb Pinc, Richard & Rachel Quenemoen, Klaus & Priscilla Rapp, Lawrence Redmond, Kit & Dick Schmoker, Mark Siegel, Jon Skaalen, Gerald & Jane Skluzacek, John Stanoch, Nancy Straw, Steven & Susan Turbenson, Vision Loss Resources, Patricia Young.

Sponsors ($50+):
Diane Blake, Woody & Joy Bridges, Central Lakes College Theatre, James Conway, Cora Culbert, James & Beverly Dusso, Sue & Mark Erickson, Sherri & Wayne Fuller, Julie & Anders Himmelstrup, Wade Karli, Erin Keyes, Laura Kinkead, Michael Malver, Fern & Bill Miller, Kim Motes, Myles Reif Performing Arts Center, Glenn & Sandi Pence, Kris Ann & Steven Prince, Linda Rebane, Nancy & Larry Robbert, Nadine Sehnert, Richard Thompson, Dorothy Timm Meili, United Bank (Faribault), Louise Ziegler.

Supporters (under $50):
Shirley Adamczyk, Derek Appleyard, Diane Aves, Duane Barnhart, Loretta Bebeau, Jack Becker and Nancy Reynolds, Perrin Boyd, Anna Mary Brombach, Carolyn Bye, Denise Cronin, Craig Dahl, Paul Danko, Mary Darnall, Barbara Davis, Sharman Davis Barrett, Randy Edinger, Richard Erickson, Pete Feigal, Thomas & Patricia Fetsch, Dale Finke & Debbie Rielley, Marvin & Rosemary Fish, Dr. Paul Haack, Sara Haugen, Mike & Patti Hiatt, Yvonne Klocek, Paula Krippner, Sue & Mark Lasoff, Jane Leonard, Phill Lindsay, Ann Lohn, Charles & Hertha Lutz, Jim Mikos, Raymond Myslicki, Scott Nelson, Chris Orr, Don & Kathy Park, Mary Carol Peterson, Bela Petheo, Jeff Prauer, George & Mary Raymond, Dale Schatzlein, Susan Searle, Nadine Sehnert, Jan Severson, Jayne Spain, Pam Truesdell, Adam Wahlberg, Ken & Diane Warner, Tom & Kathy Weber, Wood Art Framing Studio.

By Craig Dunn, Executive Director, V S A arts of Minnesota

Can you remember what you were doing 20 years ago this month? While I have a rough idea of what that personally entailed – probably teaching my special education students in the Anoka-Hennepin school district about love songs and how to use their voices "sweetly"! – I know specifically that a group of eight people came together in February of 1986 to found Very Special Arts Minnesota and become its Board of Directors. Those people included Jaehn Clare, Larry Crouse, Linda Moen, Dorothy Rippie, Mary Sample, Sister Cecilia Schmitt, Kate Schmoeckel and Karon Sherarts. Were it not for their efforts then and in the months and years prior to the actual incorporation of the organization, VSA arts of Minnesota may not have grown into what it is today. So to start, I have to say a big Thank You! to this great group of people, some of whom are no longer with us.

While our history over the past 20 years has been occasionally rocky, I am proud to say that this organization has implemented its mission with persistence, passion, efficiency and authenticity. This has been due in large part to great volunteer board members who have served on behalf of the organization. These boards were fortunate to have been led by some great people including (in historical order) Jaehn Clare, Susan Sikorski, Darlene Luther, Craig Dunn, Bruce Mueller, Jaehn Clare, Margret Swanson, Eric Peterson, Steve Schmidt and Steve Danko. While the list of individual board members is too long to list here, suffice it to say that none of the organization’s work, reputation or standing could have been accomplished without the efforts of those scores of volunteers. Again I say a hearty Thank You to all who served on our Boards and committees. Finally, on behalf of both Jon Skaalen & Amie Pence, I thank you our donors, our corporate, foundation and governmental funders, and our "non-monetary" supporters, whose dollars, energy and enthusiasm keep us going as employees of VSA arts of Minnesota. With your help, we will continue to increase and improve our programs and services that make all the arts available and accessible to Minnesotans with disabilities.