Arts Access Newsletter June 2006

About 150 people attended the "No Foolin’ We’re 20! Silent Auction & Cabaret" fund-raiser for VSA arts of Minnesota on April 2nd. The 20th anniversary celebration gathered past and present board members, staff and other supporters of the organization at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis. About $6000 was raised for ongoing, statewide programs promoting access to the arts for all ages and abilities.

Listening to great music, meeting friends, enjoying savory food and bidding on art, entertainment, fine dining and more were all part of the April 2nd Silent Auction and Cabaret at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis.

Plan now to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on Wednesday, July 26 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Radisson University Hotel, 615 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis.

Keynote speaker Barry Taylor will discuss current Supreme Court decisions and the state of the ADA today. Taylor is legal advocacy director for Equip for Equality, Inc., the Illinois Protection and Advocacy system, at which he supervises the legal services, self-advocacy and training programs. Taylor has also overseen many individual and systemic disability discrimination cases.

Storyteller Kevin Kling and jazz pianist Michael Deutsch will provide entertainment. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

Sponsors are: ADA Minnesota, Access Press, Minnesota State Council on Disability, Metro Center for Independent Living, United Cerebral Palsy, Institute on Community Integration, Minnesota Department of Employee Relations, VSA arts of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Courage Center & ARC-Greater Twin Cities. Admission is free, but to reserve a spot please contact Betty at: bettyc@mcil-mn.org, 651-646-8342, or TTY 651-602-2001. Or go to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Minnesota (www.adaminnesota.org).

The Minnesota State Arts Board awarded 72 Artist Initiative Grants for 2006 in Media Arts/News Media, Music, Poetry, Prose, and Photography. Among the recipients were:

Naomi J. Cohn, Saint Paul, a VSA Artist Recognition Grant recipient, received a Poetry grant of $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.

Billy McLaughlin, White Bear Lake, a multiple Minnesota Music Award winner, received a Music grant of $6,000 to complete the final level of retraining on his guitars and to return to the recording studio and concert stage.

John T. Medeiros, Minneapolis, a 2005 VSA Artist Recognition Grant recipient, received a Prose grant of $2,000 to purchase a computer and research the final portion of his memoir about the quest for individuality in the world of twins.

Sandy Hork, photographer, is featured at the Park State Bank in the Minneapolis Warehouse District (Fifth Street and First Avenue). Sandy’s work features photographs from local and international landscapes.

Gail Harbeck, visual artist, is featured at Vision Loss Resources at 1936 Lyndale Avenue S. in Minneapolis. With bold simplicity, Gail creates work to provoke thoughts of the beautiful diversity in both nature and culture.

Both Minneapolis artists’ exhibitions run through June 31.

VSA arts of Minnesota contracts artist with disabilities to exhibit their work throughout Minnesota. If you are interested in hosting a VSA arts of Minnesota exhibition or would like to apply to exhibit your work, contact Amie Pence at 612-332-3888, x3.

Michael "the Hook" Deutsch, Minneapolis, lost his son, Michael Paul II, in an auto crash in February. A benefit to help cover the funeral and burial expenses will be held on June 18, Father’s Day, at Whiskey Junction, 901 Cedar Avenue S., Minneapolis. Performers include the Lamont Cranston Band, Cool Disposition, Michael’s own jazz/blues piano, and others. City Pages featured the Hook’s loss in a recent article: Job Got Off Easy: He Lost His Ma and Sis to a Fire. He Lost His Arm to a Machine. What Else Has Michael Deutsch Got to Lose? (http://citypages.com/databank/27/1323/article14272.asp). Michael (a VSA arts of Minnesota Art Ambassador) will also perform at the ADA celebration on July 26.

Christine Sikorski, a Minneapolis writer, teacher and 2005 Artist Recognition Grant recipient, had an opinion piece, "Witnessing Love," featured in the May 7 Star Tribune. She reflected on her experiences attending several same-sex marriage ceremonies. Go to Star Tribune article, Christine Sikorski: Witnessing love (www.startribune.com/562/story/414989.html).

Sharon Chmielarz of Brooklyn Park recently published her fourth book of poetry, The Rhubarb King. It's available for $11.95 at Amazon, Micawber's, and Magers & Quinn bookstores, or through Loonfeather Press (www.loonfeatherpress.com).

Cora Culbert of Chisholm has hung up her shingle as an artist and EBay marketer. Under the banner MotherArtiste Arts, she sells a series of Junkyard Dogs (& Cats) painted on thrift store items. Her EBay Community Art Market sells works by other artists with disabilities including Raymond Presley. Cora formerly coordinated SoHo Artists in Hibbing, For more information, contact coraculbert@juno.com.

Tara Arlene Innmon, Minneapolis, received the top award in a visual arts show in Pennsylvania. Her painting Christmas in the City won Juror’s Choice Award at Art Ability, a nationwide juried exhibition and sale of art and fine crafts produced by individuals with disabilities. Twenty percent of sales are earmarked to support medical treatment programs in the Philadelphia area. For more information: 610-251-5607 or ArtAbility@mlhs.org. Sam Jasmine (KFAI "Disabled & Proud") and Juliette Silvers of Minneapolis will be performing in a short play June 16-18 in Stillwater and June 24 in Saint Cloud. For more information: MinnesotaTheatre@aol.com.

An exciting artist live/work project is in the pre-development stage in the Minneapolis Arts District just off Central and 19th Avenues NE. The Northeast Community Development Corporation is working with the Logan Park Neighborhood Association to build 36 units of affordable, sustainable, accessible ownership housing for artists. Construction is anticipated to begin next spring, and reservations will be taken this fall.

Community goals are to keep artists in Northeast and to create synergy with the dynamic and diverse commercial corridor along Central Avenue. Making this an accessible project also fits with community goals and artists' space requirements.

The plan is to build six two-bedroom townhomes, a 31-unit condo building with a rooftop gallery, and an independent arts production building. Green construction techniques will be used. Prices will range from $110,000 for those who meet income guidelines to the $160s.

For more information, or to advise the project partners as a part of their market research and project development, call John Vaughn at 612-627-9366.

Participants in the Artists With Disabilities Alliance (AWDA ) have a number of performing opportunities, beginning in October with Performers Nights at Patrick's Cabaret, Minneapolis.

AWDA is an informal monthly gathering of visual artists, writers and performers. Its next monthly meeting is Wednesday, June 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in a Black Bear Crossing meeting room at Como Pavilion, Saint Paul. Participants support each other on art needs, networking and events such as the World Jubilee and Art-a-Whirl. Performers with disabilities are invited to introduce themselves to the performing committee, which will be programming six 15-minute sets at Patrick’s on October 20-21, as well as other future opportunities. Come on Saturday, July 1 or 15, from 2:00 to 5:00 at Walker Community Church, 3104 16th Avenue S., Minneapolis. For more information: Call Tony Wentersdorf at 612-872-0233.

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis held its 43rd Annual International Art Show by artists with disabilities through May 20. Best of Show was a mixed media work by Gayle Nord Harrison, Minneapolis, Somewhere a Village. (Gayle attended the 2005 International VSA arts Festival in Washington, DC.) The Judges' first place awards went to:

Graphics: Alissa Hullett, Faribault, Old Man Magic (Alissa is a VSA arts of Minnesota Art Ambassador.)
Photography: Jackie Crawford, Saint Paul, Deep Thoughts.
Watercolor: Barbara Misheck, Willoughby Hills, OH, Red November.
Mixed Media: Laura Ann Walker, Corona, NY, Lounge Act.
Oils & Acrylics: Irene Olmsted, Albertville, Pond Across the Road.
Sculpture: Keiko Asai, Nishi, Tokyo City, Japan, Nyoirin-Kannon.
Encouragement Award: Kahlid Ahmed, Minneapolis, for a sculpture, Bird with Red Dot.

Encouragement Awards given by V S A arts of Minnesota went to: Alexandra Alexander, Minneapolis, Klownie's Last Performance (left picture) and Barrett Peterson, Hibbing, Man in the Fish Bowl (not pictured). Pictured at right with her two paintings is Pamela Bottoms of Minnetonka.

For more information: 612-863-4466 or Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute - Art Show (www.allina.com/ahs/ski.nsf/page/artshow).

Do you know someone who has worked hard to make the arts more accessible to people with disabilities?

VSA arts of Minnesota urges you to nominate a person or organization for its annual Arts Access Awards. Named the Jaehny, after VSA arts of Minnesota founder Jaehn Clare, the awards recognize dedication to making arts programs and facilities more accessible, as well as creating opportunities for artists with disabilities.

You can nominate Minnesotans in categories such as (but not limited to):

• Outstanding Arts Educator of Students with Disabilities;
• Most Active & Visible Minnesota Artist with a Disability (performer, visual artist, writer,...);
• Most Active Producing/Performing Group Involving People with Disabilities;
• Most User-Friendly Performance or Exhibiting Space for People with Disabilities.

Award winners will be honored at a public ceremony in late September, when they will receive an original artwork created by a Minnesota artist with a disability, and publicity about the access issues they promote. To nominate someone, submit (by mail, fax, e-mail or audiotape) contact information about nominee and nominator (name, address, phone, etc.); relationship (if any) of the nominee to the writer; and reasons why the nominee deserves to be recognized. Attach any relevant news clippings, photos or website information. Nominations must be received by August 18, 2006. Send to VSA arts of Minnesota, 528 Hennepin Avenue S., Suite 305, Minneapolis, MN 55403; fax 612-305-0132; or info@vsaartsmn.org.

This year has been a whirlwind of residencies developing through the spring season. Thanks to all the staff who have worked with VSA arts of Minnesota to develop residency programs this year!

Transition Plus, Anoka Hennepin with visual artist Amy Ballestad.
Transition Plus, Hopkins with photographer artist Barry Kleider.
Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, Faribault with visual artists Rhonda Lund, Shakun Maheshwari and Anne McFaul Reid. Partnership through VSA arts of Minnesota and Young Audiences.
Bell Center, Coon Rapids with creative writing artist Linda Larson.
Grant Language & Arts Magnet School, Duluth with creative clowning and movement artist Perrin Boyd.
TESA Program, District 917 Rosemount with visual artist Felicitas Maria Sokec.
Transition to Independence, Saint Paul with Mosaic on a Stick.
Transition Plus, Minneapolis with visual and creative writing artist Linda Back McKay.
Jefferson High School, Bloomington with visual artist Joe LaMantia.

Would you like to develop an Artist-in-Residency opportunity in your classroom or school? Please contact Amie Pence to discuss some arts programming opportunities!

Destination Anywhere is a national juried exhibition for young artists with disabilities! This call for art is open to young artists ages 16-25 living in the United States who have physical, cognitive or mental disabilities. For an application and information, visit VSA arts (www.vsarts.org) and click under Arts in Action, Destination Anywhere. Deadline: July 14, 2006.

ArtLink, an international program through VSA arts, invites students ages 7-14 to share their culture, heritage and communities through visual art. One classroom from each state will participate in this program beginning next fall, and exchange artwork with classrooms from another country. Lee Schwanke, art specialist at Dowling School in South Minneapolis, has been chosen to represent Minnesota!

The sixth annual Metro Arts Festival took place April 21 at the Augsburg College Music Hall. Middle school students with developmental cognitive disabilities and peers from seven metro schools participated in hands-on sessions exploring drumming, dance & movement, and instrument-making. Guest artist Joko Sutrisno led students in experimenting with the Gamelan! “Feel the Beat, Rock to your Rhythm!” came to an end with a great show by Joko and nine performers from The Minnesota Indonesian Performing Arts Association.

VSA arts of Minnesota would like to send a great "Thanks!" to the volunteers from Augsburg Music Therapy Department and all the participating schools!

Naomi Staples, a ten-year-old from Clear Lake, created a piece of art that was selected this spring for a national exhibit, A View From My Window. On view June 5-25 at Union Station in Washington, D.C., the exhibit comprises work by student artists with disabilities from every state and the District of Columbia, as well as six foreign nations. Artists were encouraged to explore their hopes and fears by expressing their dreams, memories and landscapes through visual art. VSA arts president Soula Antoniou said, "This exhibit will give people from all over the world a chance to view and understand both the beauty of art and how it affects the lives of children with disabilities."

Naomi is one of 11 students who will travel to Washington, D.C. to be recognized at a Congressional reception on June 8, as part of the annual VSA arts national conference. She was also recognized at a presentation at Clearview Elementary School on May 9. VSA arts of Minnesota Executive Director Craig Dunn, Arts in Education Coordinator Amie Pence, and Arts Ambassador Alec Sweazy recognized Naomi’s accomplishment and spoke to students and staff about participation in the arts by people with disabilities.

Gain strategies and techniques in developing an inclusive classroom and curriculum in the arts!

Sessions include:

• Tools and techniques to meet the needs of various abilities in and through the arts.
• Creative strategies for motivating special need students and techniques for effective classroom management.
• Ideas for implementing life skill development for high school and transition age students through the arts.
• Techniques for using the arts as a tool to teach interdisciplinary subjects!

We are looking to offer CEU's for this workshop!
Registration fee: $15.
Registration deadline is June 20, 2006.

For more information, please contact Amie Pence, 612-332-3888 ext 3 or 800-801-3883, voice/tty.

To learn more about these opportunities, contact Amie Pence, Arts in Education Coordinator at VSA arts of Minnesota, 612-332-3888 v/tty, or amie@vsaartsmn.org.

Burnsville

Special Needs Arts Program;
Ten Sessions: $250;
Monday-Friday, July 31 - August 11, 9 am-noon each day.

Summer SNAP is open to all and any special needs or developmentally delayed students. Participants will be exposed to a variety of Art and Performing Art experiences designed to awaken hidden talents.

Five 20-minute training rotations will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills and work on interest areas such as singing, rhythm instruments, dance and movement, visual art opportunities, yoga and more. Students will be divided into three groups for art training rotations: Grades k-12, 3-5 and 6-9.

For questions or registration information, call ISD 191 Community Education at 952-707-4150 or visit Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Community Education Online (www.communityed191.org).

Eden Prairie

Claymobile!
Saturday, July 22, 6-9 pm.

Bring your creative energy to the table and design a one-of-a-kind project. The Northern Clay Center provides supplies and instruction.

SNO is a social opportunity for teens/young adults with disabilities (ages 13-22). All interested individuals must register by July 14 using bar code 19669. All new participants are asked to complete an intake assessment (no charge) before participation.

For more information on registering, go to City Of Eden Prairie (www.edenprairie.org) and click on Parks and Recreation, then click on view brochure. The four easy ways to register are explained on page 101. For more information, contact Nicole White, Eden Prairie Community Education at 952-949-8457 or NWhite@edenprairie.org!

Duluth

Duluth Children's Museum;
Folktales Around the World;
$25 per child, $20 for members;
Monday-Friday, July 10-14, 9:00 AM-noon;
Registration deadline: July 5.

Using The Drama of Color, by Johnny Saldana, children will enhance their ethnic literacy through dramatic improvisation storytelling. Children will explore multicultural folklore in interpretive telling and re-telling of folktales, and use discussion, discovery/inquiry, and personal reflection to build trust, find universals, and celebrate differences. The classes will culminate in a public re-telling of the stories they learned during the week.

Children with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The building is accessible. Sign language interpreters and other accommodations are provided based on students' needs.

Mankato

Courage Center Camp;
Monday - Friday, July 17-28, 9:00-3:00;
Arts experiences are planned!

For questions or registration, contact Julie Fredrick, at 507-387-3443 or tomjulie@hickorytech.net.

Golden Valley

VSA arts of Minnesota Artist/Teacher Workshop;
Thursday, August 3, 9:30-3:00;
Hosted at the Glass Box, Perpich Center for Art Education.

Teaching Artists and Art Specialists! Join us for a one-day workshop! Learn about designing a successful classroom for all students! Discuss curriculum development, tools and strategies to engage and motivate students with special needs in the arts! Registration is required. $15. Possible CEU’s for this workshop! Contact Amie Pence (amie@vsaartsmn.org) for more information or to register.

VSA arts of Minnesota would like to thank Low Incidence Projects of Minnesota and all the cooperating DCD teachers and student artists who helped make the "Art from the Heart" exhibit a great success. "Art from the Heart" was featured at the first Statewide Developmental Cognitive Disabilities Conference held April 19-20 at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education Center. Students from around the state were given the opportunity to submit their work to show what great talent is in our schools!