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Seven Minnesota artists have been awarded grants of $1,500 each by VSA Minnesota. The 18th annual competitive grant, funded by the Jerome Foundation, recognizes excellence by emerging Minnesota artists with disabilities and encourages them to complete new work. Selected from 45 applicants, the grantees are:

Name, City, Medium
Caleb Belleveau, Minneapolis, Visual Art — Sculpture installation
Christi Furnas, Minneapolis, Visual Art — Painting
Jill Lynne Ness, Coon Rapids, Multi-media — Creative Non-fiction, Poetry, Images
Mari Alice Newman, Minneapolis, Visual Art — Collage, Acrylics
Leili Tajadod Pritschet, Minneapolis, Visual Art — Painting
Wendy Lee Savage, Duluth, Multi-media — Millinery
Anne Sawyer-Aitch, Minneapolis, Performance — Puppetry

The grants were awarded following a jurying process conducted by individuals with extensive backgrounds in the written, visual and performing arts. They looked at samples of the artists’ work, resumes and artist statements. Members of the panels included:

• Rosilyn Carroll, education director, Givens Foundation, Minneapolis
• Don Cosgrove, actor, director, teacher, The Talent Center, producer of Prime Time Players, West St. Paul
• Deb Costandine, artist, writer, past grant recipient and panelist, St. Paul
• Asher Edes, office manager & house manager, The Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis
• Robin Gillette, past executive director, Minnesota Fringe Festival, Minneapolis
• Vicki Madsen, photographer and past board member for Bloomington Theatre & Art Center, Richfield
• Holly Nelson, adult program director, Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Wayzata
• Lin Nelson-Mayson, director, Goldstein Museum of Design, U of M, St. Paul
• Carolyn Payne, executive director, Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis
• Joy Purchase, artist, past grant recipient, past Interact art instructor, Circle Pines
• Karon Sherarts, arts and education evaluation consultant and photographer, Minneapolis
• Rick Shiomi, retired artistic director, Mu Performing Arts; Ivey Career Award Winner, Minneapolis
• Joan Vorderbruggen, runs Artists In Storefronts and Made Here, Minneapolis
• Kurt Wiger, staff of Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Plymouth

A short bio about each artist will be available shortly.

Nonprofit arts organizations in the Metro Regional Arts Council’s seven-county area and in the Lake Region Arts Council’s nine counties will again be able to apply for grants from VSA Minnesota to help make arts programming, activities and facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.

In the Twin Cities metro area, VSA Minnesota administers ADA Access Improvement Grants of up to $15,000 each for the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC). Over the past four years $798,000 has been awarded to 67 projects conducted by 44 Twin Cities organizations. In 2014 about $200,000 will be available to be awarded. The application deadlines will be announced soon (tentatively Feb. 28 and May 16, 2014). A number of information meetings will be held, as well as a captioning workshop and other accessibility training.

In the counties served by the Lake Region Arts Council, headquartered in Fergus Falls, $10,000 will be available for Accessibility Improvement Grants, and VSA Minnesota will conduct several trainings to help small nonprofit arts organizations be more accessible. The tentative application deadline is May 2, 2014.

In both cases, the funding is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, which voters approved in 2008.

The grants are intended for projects with significant or long-term potential to involve more people with disabilities as participants or patrons in arts programs. They are not intended for one-time activities such as a sign language interpreter or a Braille program for one play.

The 2014 grant guidelines and application forms will be available at www.vsamn.org by the end of 2013. You can also request emailed or mailed copies by contacting VSA Minnesota at 612-332-3888, email [email protected].

The mission of VSA Minnesota, a statewide nonprofit organization, is to create a community where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and access the arts. Its programs include school and community artist residencies, professional development training, and accessibility assistance and funding for arts organizations and artists. Located in Cowles Center for Dance & Performing Arts in Minneapolis, it is an affiliate of VSA, which is part of the education department at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

VSA Minnesota wants to know, “What does Arts Access mean to you?” as a part of the Minnesota Disability Mural & Story Project.

 

More than 750 Minnesotans created art in the past few months to show why “access to the arts” is important to them. Their creations are part of two large murals on exhibit in October in St. Cloud and Minneapolis.

This Disability Mural and Story Project was undertaken by VSA Minnesota, a statewide nonprofit that hired artists with disabilities to lead more than 30 art-making workshops. Participants responded in visual art (on 1’x1’ panels), writing or video to illustrate why they do or don’t participate in the arts.

The project replicates a 2011 project directed by Bridget Riversmith with the Arrowhead Alliance of Artists with Disabilities (AAAWD) in Duluth. The original Disability Mural Project in 2000, led by Frances Valesco at the Center for Accessible Technology in Berkeley, California, is now displayed at the Ed Roberts Campus in the Ashby BART station in Berkeley.

Art created in the St. Cloud area was exhibited October 4-13 at Gallery Saint Germain, with a reception for the artists held October 10.

About 650 art tiles are included in the Minneapolis exhibit, which will run October 21-30 in the first floor atrium of City Center, located between Hennepin Avenue and the Nicollet Mall between 6th and 7th Streets. A free reception with the artists will be on Wednesday, October 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Velasco and Riversmith will be among those introduced at a short program at 7:00. Regular exhibit hours will be weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5:00.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. VSA Minnesota is a statewide, nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a community where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and access the arts. For more information, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883, or email [email protected].

Four arts organizations served by the Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC) in Fergus Falls were awarded grants this month for projects to make their arts programs more accessible to people with disabilities.

LRAC contracted with VSA Minnesota, a statewide nonprofit that serves individuals with disabilities, to administer this grant program. Funding comes from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. The purpose is to enable nonprofit arts organizations to improve their programs, projects, equipment, or facilities in ways that have the potential for significant or long-term impact in involving more people with disabilities as participants or patrons in arts programs.

Recipients include:

A Center for the Arts, Fergus Falls, will receive $2,000 to provide a curb cut at the street for patrons, and to provide training and practice for staff on its Audio Description equipment, which will mean several shows during the coming season will be audio described for people with vision loss.

The Kaddatz Gallery, Fergus Falls, will receive $3,350 to install automatic door operators on its front doors to allow better access to its facilities.

A collaborative project between the Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County and the Rourke Art Museum, both in Moorhead, will receive $1,900 to improve accessibility and increase attendance by visitors with disabilities in both museums. They will research and train staff and volunteers to better serve visitors with disabilities, provide oral guided tours to visitors with vision disabilities, and provide written guided tours to visitors with hearing disabilities through use of the accessibility features of an iPod and iPad and through marketing.

The grants were reviewed by a panel of persons active in the region’s arts and disability communities. Their recommendations were approved by the VSA Minnesota board of directors.

Panelist - County - Experience
Karen Aakre - Underwood- artist
Megan Johnston - Fargo - arts administrator
Karan Ouran - Fergus Falls - artist, administrator
Tanya Stoll - Fergus Falls- Independent Living Advocate, Freedom Resource Center
Richard Vandever - Fergus Falls - woodcarving artist, worked with Care-a-Van
Laura Youngbird - Breckenridge - artist, Circle of Nations School instructor

These are the first projects to be funded by this new grant program, which will continue into 2014. The next deadline will be announced in late 2013.

VSA Minnesota is an affiliate of VSA, a program of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It also provides grants for Emerging Artists with Disabilities throughout Minnesota and organizational access improvement grants for metro arts organizations. For more information or grant application forms, go to www.vsamn.org, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883, “like” VSA Minnesota on Facebook, or email [email protected]. Its office is at Hennepin Center for the Arts (Cowles Center for Dance & Performing Arts), 528 Hennepin Ave., #305, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

The Lake Region Arts Council serves the nine counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin. In addition to funding these grants, its other programs for artists and organizations include Artist Small Grants, Artists Mentorships, Career Development Grants, McKnight Fellowships, Legacy Individual Artists Grants; Organization Project Grants, Operating Support Grants, Legacy Organizational Grants, and Legacy Local Government Grants. For more information, call 218-739-5780 or 800-262-ARTS; email [email protected]; go online to www.lracgrants.org or www.lrac4.org; or visit 133 S. Mill St., Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

ADA Access Improvement Grant Recipients include:
Organization - City - Grant
Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis - 8,073
Coffee House Press - Minneapolis - 15,000
History Theatre - St. Paul - 15,000
Lee Carlson Center (Bridgeview Art Program) - Fridley - 15,000
Loft Literary Center - Minneapolis - 13,923
MN African American Museum & Cultural Center - Minneapolis - 12,744
Nimbus - Minneapolis - 15,000
O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University - St. Paul - 15,000
Park Square Theatre - St. Paul - 15,000
Simply ArtAble - Minneapolis - 13,073
SteppingStone Theatre - St. Paul - 8,458
Upstream Arts, Inc. - Minneapolis - 15,000
TOTAL: $161,271

Funding for the ADA Access Improvement Grants for Metro Arts Organizations is from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. The purpose is to enable nonprofit arts organizations in the seven-county Twin Cities area to improve their programs, projects, equipment, or facilities in ways that have the potential for significant or long-term impact in involving more people with disabilities as participants or patrons in arts programs.

VSA Minnesota administers the grant program for the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC). Founded in 1986, VSA Minnesota is a statewide, nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a community where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and access the arts. Here are summaries of the 12 projects:

Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, $8,073
The Cedar will serve people with disabilities through increased access to the arts by: cultivating its current partnerships with Courage Center, WorkAbilities and Interact, and developing new partnerships by engaging these organizations’ constituents with music programming; implementing SightCompass, a digital descriptive service used with a mobile device App that provides detailed access to spaces for those with vision loss, hearing loss, deafblind, dyslexia, or anxiety disorders; and by improving accessibility of its website.

Coffee House Press, Minneapolis, $15,000
Coffee House is committed to making its books accessible to all readers. The most reliable means for making sure its catalog is accessible to the blind and print-disabled is the direct distribution of text files that can be read by a variety of devices. Converting its books into text files and distributing them by its website offers an easy, consistent route for readers to obtaining them.

History Theatre, St. Paul, $15,000
History Theatre seeks funds to expand its accessibility services by purchasing audio description equipment, offering more flexibility to offer additional audio described performances as needed. It also seeks funds to provide advanced training of the Accessibility Coordinator and hiring outside consultants to facilitate training with History Theatre staff and volunteers on accessibility services.

Lee Carlson Center (Bridgeview Art Program), Fridley, $15,000
Bridgeview is a psycho-social drop-in center for adults living with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Many of its 400 participants have innate artistic talents that with the right supportive environment can be more fully developed. Requested funds will allow Bridgeview to overcome space limitations that negatively impact the psycho-social needs of its participants. With a more fully professional art studio environment, Bridgeview participants can be the artists they truly are and be appreciated by the community.

Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis, $13,923
The Loft Literary Center seeks to increase the accessibility of its offices, Resource Library and writers’ studios through capital improvements and bring the Loft’s classrooms in Open Book to ADA compliance through the installation of assistive listening technology. They strive to create an inclusive writing community – inviting, welcoming, honoring and respecting all constituents.

Minnesota African American Museum & Cultural Center, Minneapolis, $12,744
This grant will support creating a welcoming and physically accessible space for persons with disabilities. It includes the installation of an exterior access ramp, installing handicap restrooms, improving framing a wheelchair lift, audio and braille, and signage. The Minnesota African American Museum and Cultural Center is located in historic Coe Mansion on the Minneapolis Arts corridor of 3rd Avenue. As a registered historic preservation property, the ADA improvements are subject to historic preservation requirements.

Nimbus, Minneapolis, $15,000
Nimbus requests funds to improve the accessibility of the outside of its theatre space. They seek to install a dedicated handicap entrance with ramp, disability parking and a lighted sign on the building.

The O'Shaughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine University, St. Paul, $15,000
The proposed project will create additional wheelchair accessible seating on both sides of The O’Shaughnessy auditorium. In addition, they will re-pour the concrete floor of the lobby to create an ADA-compliant ramp to reach the new accessible seating areas, thereby doubling the number of wheelchair-accessible seats available.

Park Square Theatre, St. Paul, $15,000
Park Square will build a new additional 200-seat Thrust Stage within its facility, greatly expanding theatre opportunities for the students, people with disabilities and the general community. VSA funds will provide wheelchair access seating, FM Assisted Listening and Audio Description equipment, and ADA-compliant signage for welcome and wayfinding for the new stage.

Simply ArtAble, Minneapolis, $13,073
Simply ArtAble seeks funding to increase visibility and programming in order to better serve its underserved populations including those with special needs, mental and physical disabilities.

SteppingStone Theatre, St. Paul, $8,458
SteppingStone Theatre in Saint Paul requests support for increasing the dignity and self-sufficiency of patrons by adding power openers and signage to its accessible restrooms and auditorium entrance. While these areas of the theatre are accessible, they currently require some patrons to get a staff person to assist with holding the door open. With growing audiences, this small equipment upgrade with have great impact on the welcoming, inclusive atmosphere of SteppingStone Theatre.

Upstream Arts, Inc., Minneapolis, $15,000
Upstream Arts is requesting support of specialized trainings and curriculum development sessions led by local experts to increase organizational capacity and the capacity of its teaching artists to teach older youth and adults with disabilities at different life stages.

GRANT REVIEW PANELISTS:
The grants were reviewed by a panel of persons active in the metro arts and disability communities. They read, discussed and ranked the applications; their recommendations were approved by the VSA Minnesota board of directors.  Panelists included:
Kenneth Brown, Hennepin county, owner, K Brown Enterprises Inc.; member of the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities;
Brad Donaldson, Hennepin county, associate director of operations at Brain Injury Association of MN, Chameleon Theatre Circle member;
Chloette Haley, Washington county, program officer, Andersen Corporate Foundation;
* Alex Lubet, Ramsey county, head, Interdisciplinary Graduate Group in Disability Studies, University of Minnesota School of Music;
MaryEllen Murphy, Ramsey county, 'Tradigital' visual artist, interdisciplinary educator;
Julee Quarve-Peterson, Hennepin county, accessibility consultant;
Anne Ulseth, Hennepin county, AQUA Public Relations for arts/disability groups;
Susan Warner, Hennepin county, Courage Center staff, VSA board member.

Sixty-seven projects have been funded by this grant program since 2010, totaling $798,000. Grants up to $15,000 are available, and the next deadlines will be in late 2013 and early 2014.

VSA Minnesota is an affiliate of VSA, a program of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information or grant application forms, go to www.vsamn.org, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883, “like” VSA Minnesota on Facebook, or email [email protected]. Its office is at Hennepin Center for the Arts (Cowles Center for Dance & Performing Arts), 528 Hennepin Ave., #305, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Three Twin Cities arts organizations were awarded grants in April for projects to make their arts programs more accessible to people with disabilities.

ADA Access Improvement Grant Recipients include:
Organization - City - Request
Interact Center for Visual/Performing Arts -  Minneapolis - 15,000
Mixed Precipitation - Minneapolis - 15,000
Young Dance - Minneapolis - 3,744
TOTAL: $33,744

Funding for the ADA Access Improvement Grants for Metro Arts Organizations is from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. The purpose is to enable nonprofit arts organizations in the seven-county Twin Cities area to improve their programs, projects, equipment, or facilities in ways that have the potential for significant or long-term impact in involving more people with disabilities as participants or patrons in arts programs.
VSA Minnesota administers the grant program for the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC). Founded in 1986, VSA Minnesota is a statewide, nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a community where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and access the arts.

APRIL 2013 GRANT RECIPIENTS – Project summaries:

Young Dance, Minneapolis, $3,744
Young Dance will bring Dwayne Schueneman, founder of REVolutions Dance and a professional dancer who uses a wheelchair, to Minneapolis for a week of workshops. The week will culminate in free public performances by the workshop participants and Mr. Schueneman.

Interact Center for Visual & Performing Arts, Minneapolis, $15,000
Dis/Cover the Arts expands the capacity of Interact Center for Visual & Performing Arts to grow audiences of people with disabilities by removing barriers, better fulfilling its mission to create art that challenges perceptions of disability.

Mixed Precipitation, Minneapolis, $15,000
Mixed Precipitation seeks support for relationship-building through the Access Advisory Panel, to attend the LEAD conference, to provide expanded access services, to reduce physical barriers in key sites by renting bathroom facilities and undertaking capital improvements, and to bring a production directly to a facility serving people with disabilities.

GRANT REVIEW PANELISTS:
The grants were reviewed by a panel of persons active in the metro arts and disability communities. They read, discussed and ranked the applications; their recommendations were approved by the VSA Minnesota board of directors.
Panelist County Experience
Leah Cooper Hennepin MN Theater Alliance director; freelance director
Paul Deeming Dakota ASL interpreter, DeafBlind Services Minnesota
PJ Doyle Hennepin retired Mixed Blood Theatre managing director
Jo Ann Erbes Dakota Coproduces "Disability Viewpoints"; formerly with UCP MN and the STAR program
Connie Fullmer  Hennepin Mentoring Peace Through Art, past VSA board
Cindy Tarshish Hennepin ADA Minnesota director

Fifty-five projects have been funded by this grant program since 2010, totaling $636,729. Additional grant projects applied by a May 17 deadline and will be reviewed on June 13. Grants up to $15,000 are available, and the next deadlines will be in late 2013 and early 2014.

VSA Minnesota is an affiliate of VSA, a program of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information or grant application forms, go to www.vsamn.org, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883, “like” VSA Minnesota on Facebook, or email [email protected]. Its office is at Hennepin Center for the Arts (Cowles Center for Dance & Performing Arts), 528 Hennepin Ave., #305, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

2014 Open Flow Forum

WHO: Visual Artists, Performers, Musicians and Poets

WHEN: Thursday, February 2, 2014, 7:00-9:00 PM.

WHAT: Open Flow Forum is a monthly “First Thursdays” opportunity for artists with and without disabilities to bring samples of their visual art, poetry, music, memoir, photography or other art form to share and discuss in an informal, supportive, fragrance-free setting. Participants are invited to bring refreshments to share or to contribute a small donation to cover treats. Open Flow is an outgrowth of the Artists With Disabilities Alliance (AWDA).

WHERE: Carleton Artist Lofts, 2285 University Avenue West, St. Paul. Park on Charles Street, one block north of University (NOT in the parking lot or you may be towed). The main entry is on the north side of the building; the Community Room is straight through the entryway. If you arrive early, dial 110.

THIS MONTH: We’ll look at samples of artwork, music, video and writing by artists who applied for the 2013 Emerging Artist Grants provided by VSA Minnesota for the Jerome Foundation.

ACCESS: Wheelchair-accessible building & restrooms. Fragrance-free policy so everyone can participate.

FUTURE: Thursdays, 2014: Feb. 6, March 6, April 3, May 1 (not yet confirmed: June 5, July 3, NO Forum in Aug., Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 4).

MORE INFO: If you’d be willing to offer to share transportation to someone near you, please contact:

• Pamela Veeder ([email protected]),
• Mike Price ([email protected]) 651-917-3667,
• Dan Reiva ([email protected]),
or
• VSA Minnesota: [email protected] or 612-332-3888 ext. 2.

Past Open Flow Forums:

December, 2013

The annual Holiday Party included extra potluck treats and a gift exchange.

Tony W. performed his “Rudolph the Yodeling Reindeer” on autoharp.

Pat D. read a piece about his temperature-recording and family grading projects.

Pat showed video samples of his huge digital comic book project.

Willie G. showed five of his crayon drawings, including a zebra, outdoor scenes, a sports logo and more.

Dan R. had a group reading of a scene from a play-in-progress about Ignatius L. Donnelly, a Minnesota Congressman from the 19th century who had theories about Atlantis.

Jason R. read some recent musings.

Leo S. play a digital song he’d created on his iPad.

Simon C. reported that he’d worked to get permission for AWDA artists to participate in a 2014 art fair at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.

Thanks again to Pamela V. & Mike P. for hosting the festivities!

October, 2013

Tony shared some of his favorite tunes on his autoharp. Among them were “Old Joe Clark” and “Scotland the Brave.” He is learning the intricacies of Celtic and Irish music.

Mary brought five pieces of original artwork to share. She is moving away from oil paints for the moment. These works were in pastel and acrylic.

Pat D. took a bit of a different tack in his presentation. Rather than a new written piece, he spoke about one of his special interests – keeping records of the weather. He spoke of his life-long interest in the weather and also shared some of the detailed records and calendars from his collection.

Mike P. is now published internationally. His memoir “Grandmother” has been published in the online magazine mg74, out of the United Kingdom. In recent months he has had a number of stories published in print and online in publications including H.I.P. Literary Magazine and Piker Press.

Reminders were made for:

• St. Paul Art Crawl this weekend
• VSA Mural Project October 21-30 at the Minneapolis City Center
• Artability October 27-29 at Landmark Center

September 2013

Deb C. and Tara I. led a dozen participants in creating tiles to be used in the VSA Mural Project, a large public art project to be exhibited at the Minneapolis City Center October 21-30. Both the visual and literary arts were represented in an exciting evening of art-making

August, 2013

So that individuals could enjoy the last thrust of summer, as well as create and enjoy art, Open Flow Forum did not gather during August. However, not attending an organized meeting did not keep some individuals from sharing their work

Jon S. - His short play, Marilyn and Jackie at the Pearly Gates, “ … a well-crafted little gem featuring a quiet conversation between Marilyn (yes, that Marilyn) and Jackie (yes, that Jackie) somewhere in the Great Beyond” was performed to great acclaim at the Minnesota Fringe Festival. Jon is “a playwright who takes chances and does his homework” to create “a challenging piece for folks who are looking for something different. Throw in steady acting and imaginative staging and you have a winner here. No bombast. Just a soulful balm.”

Pat D. - performed his one man show, I Have Asperger’s, What’s Your Excuse?, at the Minnesota Fringe Festival. Audience comments found his spoken word show “to be truly outsider art” … “hilarious, offensive, raw, strangely charming, and absolutely captivating.”

Chris J. - Continues his photograph exhibit at the Park Bank in downtown Minneapolis. The bank has purchased the entire exhibit to add to their permanent collection.

July, 2013

Deb C. and Tara I. led a group of artists in an evening of art-making. The tiles created will be part of a larger project, the VSA Mural Project, to be exhibited in October at the Minneapolis City Center.

Pat D. read excerpts from his upcoming one-man show I Have Asperger’s, What’s Your Excuse. He will be performing at the Playwright’s Center as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival in August. Others read and showed their work.

March 7, 2013

Pamela invited everyone to the biennial MACT*Fest, hosted March 15-17 by North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park. The community theatre festival features plays from across the state, workshops, networking opportunities and a fantastic time for everyone! She also reminded the group of the St. Paul Art Crawl opportunity forwarded by VSA Minnesota for artists with disabilities to sell and display their art (at no charge) April 26-28 at the Union Station in downtown St. Paul. Pamela concluded with a slide show of her photographs. Using a digital picture frame, she created an endless loop of images. Discussion included how such a tool could easily be used as part of a marketing tool at art fairs and other events.

Dan R. shared a new work-in-progress, “Nocturnal Clouds.” Using the image of a tethered kite, the work speaks of the chaos at the moment of creation. Dan combines images of tsunamis and space travel to further the story-line.

Pendra is a self-defined “dabbler.” She has a theatre background that includes scene painting, props and costumes. She and a group of friends are the brains and faces behind the makeup of “Doom Squad: designers of outrageous materials.” The group was recently at MarsCon at the Mall of America. Their work can also be seen on the City Pages website. Pendra is a member of Anodyne Artists, St. Paul.

Pat’s piece, “Finding a Good Bathroom,” was something of an instructional piece on how to locate and what to look for in toilet facilities. After all, “a clean colon is a happy colon.”

Jason shared more of his writings. His words create a collage of phrases. Jason states that using his unconscious allows him to create more easily and completely; conscious thought tends to get in the way and the work becomes plodding and less clear.

John L. is still painting and will soon have some new work to share.

February 7, 2013:

Jon S. shared slides submitted by visual artists for the 2012VSA Emerging Artist Grants. The amount of talent reflected in the work submitted and difficult decisions made by the review panels were evident.

Dan R. re-worked “The Mission Story” from notes he gathered at the January Open Flow. The piece has moved from a series of monologues to one that is more compact, succinct, and includes effective dialogue. He sees it as a potential “audio play.”

Deb C. shared more of her medical transparencies. By overlaying the pieces and adding other media, she has created a number of exciting pieces.

Leili P., a dancer by training, began painting later in life, after creating her swan-song Persian dance production, “Hidden Yearning,” in 2009 on the stage of St. Thomas University.

Tony W. played an original piece, “The 60’s Re-Wind,” on his autoharp. He is collaborating with Jon S. to create original music for an upcoming theatrical production.

Pat shared a spoken word piece, “Trains.” His entry into the Minnesota Fringe Festival is number 17 on the wait-list.

Jason R. read “Click.” It speaks of “those places we can’t get out of,” “chains blocking our path….”

John F., who is hosting a film series at the Parkway Theatre (every third Thursday of the month, lunch at 11:00 at Pepito’s, film at noon), shared a few of his poems, “Tales of Ships,” “Great Delight,” “On Such Days – Gray on the Soul,” and “Pant.”

Simon C. shared information regarding subsidized cellphone programs now available. A part of his community activism has him testifying before Senate subcommittees on the need for equity in the treatment of all individuals.

January 3, 2013

Lindagail – Will use her VSA Emerging Artist Grant money to help publish her memoir, Mama. She also read an early draft of a section she recently re-wrote in which she works on conversation and the character voices.

Dan R. shared the current incarnation of his reader’s theatre piece, “The Mission Story.” Readers from the group presented and discussed the piece.

Deb C. has been using layered medical transparencies to create exciting new work. She has also been doing some iron work at the foundry located in the Schmidt Artist Lofts. The piece she created was a sand tile with the work done in reverse with the iron poured into the mold. The Schmidt Artist Lofts are scheduled to open in mid-2014.

Pat D. read his brutally honest “The People We Lost in 2012.” His writing can be counted on for its shock value. Pat has a number of videos on You Tube that receive a large number of hits each day.

Lareeza has been instrumental in bringing “Brave New Voices,” the international poetry slam, to her high school, Southwest High, on February 4.  She read one of her entries.

Jason read an impactful stream of consciousness piece from a number of years ago when he was not doing well. He is feeling and doing lots better now.

Mary has set her channeling of Vincent Van Gogh aside for a bit to pursue her own work. A recent hand injury has made painting difficult but she did share a pencil drawing and her poem “Eagle.”

Mike P. read a new work, “Out of the Closet,” an expansion of the 79-word version he wrote for Esquire’s 79th anniversary issue. “Out of the Closet” will be published by Piker Press the week of March 25.

Kip played an original piece on his guitar. He will be sharing more of his music at future Open Flows.

Simon has received a grant from Irrigate, an artist-led project of Springboard for the Arts spanning the six-mile Central Corridor Light Rail line in Saint Paul. His photo project will focus on a section of the building of the light rail system.

October 4, 2012

Adrienne, VSA board member, shared information about the annual VSA Emerging Artist grant. She also talked about her involvement with The Pretty Good Players, a readers’ theatre group she is involved in.

John L. has completed a Christmas card that will be printed and sold at Hammer, a boutique in Wayzata. His painting includes images of Santa Claus, the Holy Family and a Christmas tree.

John F., retired stagehand and poet, read a number of his compositions: “Icarus 2” (his flight near the sun), “A Sideboard”and“Third Choice.”

Drew F, John’s daughter, is a student at MCTC. With both parents active in theatre, her interests are eclectic.

Laresa has started a Spoken Word club in her high school. She shared an untitled piece filled with passion.

Lindagail will be speaking at the Domestic Abuse Program on October 16. She read “The First Gordon” from her memoir.

Pat’s writing tends to “talk about things other people don’t talk about…. I’m sure glad I create controversy….” This piece focused on hot weather and its effects on people.

Mary A. is painting her way through Vincent Van Gogh’s work. She has already interpreted over 200 of his 760 pieces. She shared “The Iris” and a Van Gogh self-portrait, both in a combination of oil and acrylic.

Lynn is hoping to pursue basketry. She shared a poem she wrote “for all the babies being born in the family.”

Connie is a watercolorist. Her work makes exciting use of negative space and uses mostly a primary color palette.

Brian uses vinyl composition floor tile as his medium. His work can be seen in permanent installations around the metro area, including the floors at Intermedia Arts.

Dan R. is a writer, producer of his original works. He is currently teaching theatre in area schools.

June 7, 2012:

James shared “Two Books, One Plot,” his short story about esoteric blackmail. He used a form called ‘slip-stream’: literature of the strange.

Pamela B. shared some of her drawings. She is part of a Thursday night art group that combines meditation and creativity.

Pat’s short story, “Life is a Series of Cats,” spoke of the loss of pets and their importance in our lives. He is of the mind that the right time to replace a pet is immediately after the earlier pet has “croaked.” Pat asked if anyone else had noticed how perfectly the human nose fits into a cat’s ear. He suggested we try it sometime and smell the ears of our favorite cats.

Josh played original work on his classical guitar. He doesn’t usually play ‘live’ but composes and records privately. As he composes, he sees the notes as “little moving pieces that he fits together.” His first self-recorded CD is entitled “La La Land.” He is working on his second CD and looking for a flutist to accompany him.

Brian is a photographer who shows his work exclusively on Flikr (https://www.flickr.com/). He successfully uses single-use cameras to do his work.

John has been writing poetry for 35 years. He read “Sunflowers” and “Petile,” sharing the vivid and subtle images of his words.

Laresa sang/read a short spoken word piece. She also writes music and will be recording some of it with a friend in the near future.

Dan R. presented an idea for an AWDA-hosted event showcasing the talents of AWDA and Open Flow artists. He will draft a proposal to present to the July Open Flow Forum regarding scheduling space, potential grant monies, artist participation and marketing.

Also in attendance: John L., Pat G., Kip, Tara, Lindagail, and Pamela V.

May 3, 2012:

Donna spoke about her cochlear implants and shared a handout that includes the following websites where a hearing person can experience simulated hearing loss:

• Hearing Aid Simulation: https://www.starkey.co.nz/your-hearing/hearing-loss-simulation.jsp/
• Cochlear Implant Simulations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpKKYBKkJ9Hw
• Implant speech in quiet and noise simulation: https://www.tigerspeech.com/tst_simulation.html

Donna also offered a few suggestions when interacting with a person who has hearing loss:

• Speak at a natural pace and level,
• Try not to speak too quickly,
• Pronounce your words clearly,
• Eliminate background noise, or find someplace quiet to talk,
• Move closer to your listener – your voice will be louder than background noises and your face and lips will be easier to read.

Kevin K., pianist, composer of New Age music and a performance artist, attended for the first time. He originally came in contact with VSA Minnesota at an audio described show at the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival. His music can be found online at https://www.kevinkern.com/main.html, on Facebook, or on YouTube under Kevin Kern/New Age Music.

Tara I. has been spending time at The Art Shoppe in Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis. She is a co-founder of the fledgling artists’ co-op.

Pat read his piece, “Things I Can’t Stand.” This spoken-word artist can often be found performing at Patrick’s Cabaret or at a monthly spoken word open mic or story slam at Kieran’s Pub (Tuesdays, 8:00).

James, aka Art Blair, read his work, “Hugging the Shore All the Way South.” His claim to fame happened a few years ago when he placed high in a writing contest to win a modest sum of money.

Mary picked up a paint brush for the first time three months ago and is in the process of reproducing the work of Vincent Van Gogh. Her intent is to recreate all 760 pieces of his known work. So far she has completed over 100 works. Mary islooking for space to display and/or store her paintings.

Jon shared a draft of part of a short play that combines entertainment and information about enjoying the arts despite whatever disability one might have. Pam and Donna read the characters while Jon read the narrator’s role. Different versions will be performed June 16 at MACT’s Fast Fest in Lakeville, June 30 at the Vision conference at the Mpls. Hyatt, and July 26 at the ADA Celebration in Northeast Mpls.

Laresa read two short spoken-word pieces, “Sounds of Beauty” and “Beautiful.” She will be presenting her work at a public forum later this spring. Laresa finds inspiration in the margins of her geometry notebook.

Lindagail read a segment from her memoir Mama about a little girl being pulled from her bed in the middle of the night to listen to her broken mother’s stories.

Jane S. will be a Featured Artist at an upcoming charity auction. Her work is also included in a number of area exhibits, including Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault; Art of Music at the Maple Grove Arts Center; and Velocity 2, an international juried show in June in Hopkins. Jane may also have found an agent for her book, A Part or Apart, and photographs.

April 5, 2012:

Marya Hornbacher, Twin Cities author, read from her work and discussed writing, arts and disabilities. Her books include: Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia, a memoir; Madness: A Bipolar Life, a memoir; The Center of Winter, a novel; Sane: Mental Illness, Addiction and the Twelve Steps, non-fiction; Waiting: A Nonbeliever’s Higher Power, a non-fiction finalist for the Books for Better Life Award.

Tony, musician and lyricist, shared a new piece, “Gifts of Nature,” inspired by John Denver. His voice and autoharp filled the room with beautiful music.

Pat shared a piece that was originally developed in a writing class in Broward, Florida. “Paradise, Yah Right” is a commentary on life in South Florida.

Lindagail shared her successful speaking engagement at the “I Survived Domestic Violence” event in March. Statistics indicate that every day, nation-wide, five children die at the hands of their parents. Lindagail is becoming a clear and concise voice for these abuse victims.

Mike read a short story entitled “Our Father,” a story about the emotional rollercoaster caused by love and violence and a small boy’s struggle to understand the concept of faith. The piece was recently published by the online magazine, Magnets and Ladders.

The St. Paul Art Crawl will feature some Open Flow artists. Tara and Lindagail will both be reading and have artwork exhibited at the Minnesota State Arts Board Art of Recovery event on Saturday, April 29. Mike will have photographs on exhibit at the Rossmor Building as part of a group show with Artability.

March 1, 2012

Lindagail will be speaking at an event about overcoming and surviving domestic abuse. Her goal is to change people’s perspectives about abuse and to have them reconsider the physical punishment of children. If it is not acceptable to hit another adult, why is it acceptable to hit a child?

John L. shared a new artwork after a day of painting in the Carleton Artist Lofts studios. To create his acrylic on masonite pieces, he first lays on thick layers of paint. After letting it dry he rips and shreds the paint, creating new and extremely textured layers. One viewer reflected, “It’s a whole different take on Jackson Pollack.”

Jon S. shared work samples submitted by visual and multimedia artists for VSA Minnesota’s 2011 Emerging Artist Grant.

Mike P. has had two short stories accepted for publication. “Impressions” is the cover story in the March 26 online issue of The Piker Press. The Rusty Nail will publish “Me” in the March 12 online edition AND its May print edition. Mike read “Me” for the group.

February 2, 2012:

Tara I. will have a story, “Brushing,” published in an upcoming issue of the national online magazine Magnets and Ladders. She is part of an online group of disabled writers called “Partyline.”

Pamela V. shared photographs. She discussed the influence of Georgia O’Keeffe and Robert Edmond Jones in her work as well as her interest in light and shadow, portals and other architectural features as photographic elements.

Jon S. read two short pieces, “What Is Strange” and “30-Year Floor.” Discussion included the search for inspiration of source material. He also shared information on Open Flow’s upcoming guest, award-winning author Marya Hornbacher.

Donna S. shared two black and white photos of stunning old trees in her neighborhood. She talked about how in black and white photography, as opposed to color, the light seems to flatten space; patterns and texture seem to overtake the image. Donna is also in the midst of another photo project called “Passion for Politics.” With the current political scene so passion-driven, she will be capturing images of that raw emotion at rallies, demonstrations, fairs, and other events throughout the campaign season. 

Halle was inspired by the story of Gee’s Bend to build the quilt/wall-hanging she shared. Using a tapestry with the image of a Spanish dancer found by her son as a centerpiece, she dug into her scrap-bag to find the remaining colors and textures. The tapestry also inspired her to take flamenco dance lessons.

Dan R. shared two short sci-fi/fantasy pieces. He offered vivid imagery of a sun setting over a wetlands, “eclipse of the cattails” causing a “hole in the day” of accepted time and space and causing “blue light and red to separate leaving space and no dimension.”

Mike P. read a portion from his short story “Visitation,” inspired by the death of his mother. It brings together five people from five very different facets of the dead man’s life.

John L. took a break from his painting in the downstairs studio to join the group and show a new painting featuring his paint-layering technique.

January 5, 2012:

Lindagail’s story, “The Grave,” that she shared with the group last month has been accepted into this spring’s The Art of Recovery. Sponsored by The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs and the Minnesota State Arts Board, this art exhibition heightens public awareness about crime victims and their rights and commemorates Crime Victims’ Rights Week.  After receiving feedback, she will make more changes in her memoir Mama before submitting if for publication.

Mike P. shared his short story, “A Fistful of Fringe.’ The piece involves his reflections about his 2011 Fringe Festival experience and his production of No Change of Address.

Jane S. is having some success selling her book, A Part or Apart. Her photographs will also be a part of this summer’s “Velocity” exhibit at the Hopkins Art Center.

Tara I. also has a piece in the Art of Recovery. She will also participate in the public reading that is a part of the show during the St. Paul Art Crawl this spring. The art show then travels throughout Minnesota. Tara also discussed her involvement with The Art Shoppe, a new artist retail venture housed in the Midtown Global Market (https://www.midtownglobalmarket.org/TheArtShoppe).

Simon C., Jane S., and Pamela V. have photography included in TRUCOLOR, a juried group exhibition celebrating shades of inclusion. The show runs through April at Trusight, Inc., 9805 45th Ave. N., Plymouth

Elizabeth posed the question, “does anyone make a living with your art?” Many of those present are able to make a small profit or at least break even, but, at the moment, no one makes a living at it.

December 1, 2011

Jane S. reports increasing sales of her book, A Part or Apart, discussion guides for inclusion in faith-based communities. She will host a book signing and a reading at the Blue Moon Café on Lake Street, Minneapolis, and at the Jewish Community Center, which will also display photographs connected with the book. To purchase the book, go to https://www.a-part-or-apart.com/A_Part_or_Apart_The_Books.html, or to view more of her photographic work, go to https://www.janesprints.com.

Lindagail shared a story “that has been inside…for a long time.” She hopes to publish “My Badge of Honor” as part of a larger work about abuse.

Kerri does origami tessilation. She shared the repeating patterns of many completed projects including “crowding butterflies,” “star puffs” and “snowflake.”

Tara I. read a portion of “Fridley, 1965,” a true story which she will be reading for another event.

November 3, 2011:

Melanie M. shared the ceramic tile she crafted to honor the life of her 19-year-old cat, Puti. In a font created by Melanie, the tile lists many of Puti’s aliases, including Leap Shin, Petunia and Super Model. Melanie credits Puti for saving her life by waiting for her while she was hospitalized.

Jason R. read a new poem, “My Trip of Evil.” The strong images of his poetry come from his visions, in which he “explores the unknown darkness.”

Jane S. read and shows a sample of A Part or Apart?, a multi-volume set of discussion guides for inclusion of persons with disabilities in faith communities.

Lindagail shared her entry for The Art of Recovery exhibit co-sponsored by The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs and the Minnesota State Arts Board. The exhibition aims to heighten public awareness about crime victims and their rights and to commemorate Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 22–28, 2012. After the show ends, the exhibition will travel throughout Minnesota. In addition, the Arts Board will create an online gallery of all the works included in the exhibition, both literary and visual. Lindagail’s entry includes both images and words that reflect the abuse she has survived in her own life. On another project, she will be meeting with trusted professors for feedback on her memoir, Mama, which she hopes to complete and have ready for publication by year’s end.

Pamela B. shared beautiful Hmong needlework she has purchased throughout the community.

Tara I. and Kip S. are among the featured artists at the Art Shoppe, a local artist collective and micro enterprise venture located in Midtown Global Market (former Sears building on Lake Street, Mpls.). The business is funded in part by the Micro-Enterprise Catalyst Partnership. Collaborating organizations are A Minnesota without Poverty, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

October 4, 2011:

Tara Innmon, along with Terry Day and other artists, opened The Art Shoppe on Oct. 1 at Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis. A loan from a micro-financing project, funded by A Minnesota Without Poverty, Mount Olive Lutheran Church and the Jewish Community Relations Council, was used for part of the start-up funds. Read more in an interview with Tara and Terry in the Southwest Journal, https://www.swjournal.com/index.php?currentIssue=8000&publication=southwest&action=searchArchive&searchString=Tara+Innmon&searchPubs=southwest&dateFrom=2011-08-27&dateTo=2011-10-27&order=date&numResults=All&page=152&story=17482&fromArchives=fromArchives&archivePage=131 .

Tony Wentersdorf shared a section of the memoirs he has begun writing. He has only recently found his writer’s voice. He often finds that the academic and literary voice creeps in and flattens his work.

Brian Jon Foster shared a slide show of his work with in-lay tile, linoleum and composition materials. Brian designed and built the 2011 Annual Arts Access Awards (a.k.a. Jaehny Award) for VSA Minnesota. To see more of his work, check out the floors at Intermedia Arts, or go to https://www.brianjonfoster.com.

Pamela Bottoms shared the gift of an origami cube that transforms into a rose. The demonstration of the cube/rose and discussion of origami and paper folding led to a trip down memory lane with the making of fortune telling/May basket pieces.

Ivey Award winning performance company Off-Leash Area has recently toured its hit A Gift for Planet BX63 to area garages, including those of Tara Innmon and Jon Skaalen.

Dan Reiva appeared in an October production of Trojan Women with Green T Productions at The Old Arizona.

Pamela Veeder shared a charcoal sketch she did after surviving a ruptured appendix. This piece, along with her photography and theatre work, is a part of her goal “to create on a regular basis.” Beginning Nov. 1, she will have photos exhibited at Park State Bank, 430 First Ave. N., Suite 104 in downtown Minneapolis.

September 1, 2011

Lindagail shared a copy of the first draft of her memoir manuscript, Momma. She hopes the work will help to educate and heal others as the writing of it has helped her to find her voice and speak out against the physical abuse of children. Hoping to have a publisher by January, she has entrusted the first draft with a select few to offer feedback. Lindagail’s long-term goals are to become a speaker in the field of child physical abuse and develop a database of psychologists who provide help to abuse survivors on either a pro-bono or sliding fee scale.

Mike Price shared an early draft of A Fistful of Fringe. The short story is about his experience of performing his play No Change of Address in the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival.

August 2, 2011

Brian Jon Foster shared his design for this year’s Jaehny Award – VSA’s annual Arts Access Award. His creations, of vinyl composition tile and wood, will be personalized for each recipient.

Simon Carvalho has photographs on exhibit at Vision Loss Resource Center (at the corner of Lyndale and Franklin), Minneapolis, through September.

Mike Price read his short story entitled Our Father. It was also published in the 2010 Artability writers’ book. He also reminded everyone that his play, No Change of Address, premieres at the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival August 4-14.

Dan Reiva read a new poem, Expired. It falls in the genre of “existential syllogism.”

July 5, 2011

Dan Reiva read a poem-in-progress. Mike Price and Pamela Veeder provided an update on their Fringe Festival one-act play, “No Change of Address,” which Mike wrote about a psych ward experience. The group shared ideas of how to promote the show.

June 5, 2011

Dan Reiva led a discussion about potential presenters, including groups like People Inc., Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network, and the Women’s Initiative for Empowerment. He also shared a piece of dramatic poetry using readers from those present. The piece prompted lively feedback. Tara Innman will read at The Loft on June 6 with three other artists with disabilities. She previewed her presentation and demonstrated the use of the Victor Stream she uses to read. Tara is also exhibiting work at the Grief and Loss Center. Mike Price read an excerpt from the final chapter of his now completed novel, Serpentine, and is seeking to publish the work. Lindagail read an excerpt from her memoir.

May 5, 2011

Pamela Bottoms talked about a future project she calls “Reflections,” which would discuss “reflectivity” and the ideas of “not existing” and “not being included.” She will be demonstrating polymer clay techniques with the Polymer Clay Guild at the Minneapolis Art-a-Whirl. Kerry Voight, editor of Dislocate, the University of Minnesota’s literary magazine, discussed how she and her staff intend to shift the magazine’s focus to include more of the local arts community. She invited the group to a public reading at the Carleton Artist Lofts Community Room on May 19. Dan Reiva pitched 10 ideas for a new play. Among them were “Cosmos, MN, at the linear end of the universe: experiments in quantum physics,” “a community theatre that solves crime on the side,” “searching for the blank spot in creation – a cultural metaphor” and “how can you disappear if you don’t exist?” Some themes seemed to recur throughout the evening, causing lively discussion. Carol Sadowy, currently part of the local real estate scene, shared her experiences as an artist over the years. Lindagail read a section from her memoir. Mike Price previewed his one-man show for the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

April 7, 2011

Speculative fiction writer Michael Merriam read from his novel Should We Drown in Feathered Sleep. He discussed his work as a writer, including various aspects of publishing. Sherry L. Merriman doesn’t consider herself an artist but is a great supporter of the arts. As a psychotherapist she sees the value of art in society. Pamela Bottoms shared insight and projects. Mike Price shared segments of his upcoming novel.

March 3, 2011

Peggy Halverson presented a slide show and talk about Falls 4 All, an organization planning to build an accessible playground designed for use by children with and without disabilities in Minnehaha Park. Other presenters included Jason Ross, who read two new poems; Tara Innmon, who showed samples of her past paintings and writings, one of which inspired the other; and Mike Price, who read a portion of his novel-in-progress, Serpentine.

February 1, 2011

Presenters included Jason Ross, who read a new poem; Pamela Veeder, who showed samples of her color photography; and Mike Price, who read a portion of his novel-in-progress, Serpentine.

January 4, 2011

Presenters included Jason Ross, who read a new poem; Donna Savage, who showed samples of her black & white photography; and Mike Price, who had the group read a portion of his novel-in-progress, Serpentine. Individuals were also invited to attend a January 6th Theatre in the Round preview of "Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean." Jane Strauss, whose automobile photographs grace TRP’s gallery for the run of this show, had free tickets to share.

December 2, 2010

Presenters included Jane Strauss, who showed photography related to inclusion of people with disabilities in the Jewish community. Her exhibit opens January 13 at the Sabes Jewish Community Center Gallery in St. Louis Park; Alex Kaminsky, who shared artwork of close friends with whom he’d shared discussions of art, writing and disability issues; Daniel Reiva, who read some of his new “fan fiction” related to The X Files, which "flew out of him… in mid-flit."

November 4, 2010

Presenters included Jason Ross, who read three new poems; Alex Kaminsky, who created with the group a new improvised poem and discussed his approach to writing, performing and approaching disability; Pamela Bottoms, who showed and described samples of her artistic light switches made out of polymer clay; Jane Strauss, who showed recent photography; and Mike Price, who shared a portion of a new novel he’s working on, Serpentine.

October 7, 2010:

Tara Innmon read from her memoir. Sam Jasmine and Jon Skaalen performed a short play, “Tea Party,” about a fictional appearance on “Oprah” by Rep. Michele Bachmann. Mike Price read the Reader’s Digest condensed version of his one-act play, “No Change of Address.”

September 2, 2010:

Featured Artist Dan Reiva introduced the two-person cast of "Mornin" Son O'Mine," a one-act play about mental illness and suicide which they previewed for the group and gained feedback prior to opening Sept. 23 with the Eden Prairie Players. Other artists sharing work were James Mitchell, who read a poem and a short story, and Barbara Saunders and Jane Strauss, who showed recent photography

August 3, 2010:

Featured Artist Brian Shaughnessy talked about his life as a performer, including serious bumps along the road, leading to publishing a book and then creating a show, "The Squeaky Wheel Squeaks," which he is performing at Fringe Festivals in Minnesota and several other states.

July 1, 2010:

VSA Minnesota 'Writing Mental Illness' class read writings of their new work.

April 7, 2010:

Alison Bergblom Johnson performed her writing related to the subject of mental illness and art.

March 3, 2010:

Pamela Veeder showed samples of her textile art. Joe Rheault talked about his cartooning art and showed samples from past and upcoming books. Link to his work at: dirtyinks on deviantART, Dirty Inks: Gnarly Imagery Since 2004, or Dirty Inks Blog.

February 3, 2010:

Michael Price read from his recent fiction and talked about his creative process.

December 2, 2009:

Brian Jon Foster presented examples of his "art on the floor" (vinyl tile) artwork and talked about his artistic process.

November 4, 2009:

Alison Bergblom Johnson performed her writing and talked about her artistic process.

2012 Artists With Disabilities Alliance (AWDA)

PLEASE NOTE: There will NOT be an AWDA meeting at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design in February or March. If you wish to help attract more participants to AWDA’s 2012 meetings (typically held the third Wednesday at MCAD), please contact Tara Innmon, facilitator, [email protected] or 612-376-7779.

When: We are taking a break during the cold months; the next meeting has NOT been scheduled.
Where: Minneapolis College of Art & Design, 2501 Stevens Ave. S. The main MCAD building is next to the Mpls Institute of Arts & the Children's Theatre. There is a free parking ramp off 3rd Ave. S., and accessible parking off Stevens & 25th.
Agenda: We are looking for ideas (and venues) that will generate more interest and attendance in 2012!
Description:

• Who we are: Artists with disabilities are invited to these informal networking meetings. Writers, visual artists, performers and other artists are welcome to share your interests and talents, support one another's work, and advocate for increased opportunities for all.
• AWDA Mission: A diverse community dedicated to the support, mentorship and promotion of artists with disabilities. Creating a presence through artistic expression.
• Introductions: Meetings typically start by having each participant share briefly what is going well in your art life, what is difficult, and what support you would like from the group.
• Art-Sharing Time: bring a sample of your art – visual art, writing, music, etc.!
• Fragrance-Free: Please do not wear fragrances, so all can participate.

For more information: If you have suggestions, contact Tara Innmon, facilitator, 612-376-7779 or [email protected], or VSA Minnesota: [email protected] or 612-332-3888, voice/tty.

When: We R Artists meets every fourth Wednesday  unless it’s a holiday from, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM

Description: We Are Artists  is a group that meets to share networking opportunities and provide support to  artists with disabilities or people who know an artist with a disability.  All are encouraged to attend. If you are interested in meeting other artists or people of similar interests and abilities, this may be an opportunity for you.

Where: Paramount Visual Arts Center (downstairs of the Paramount Theatre, 913 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN 56301. Enter Paramount’s back door (near Taco John’s). Paramount parking ramp and street parking are FREE after 6 PM.

For more information: Stacey O’Connell, 320-420-8124, [email protected] or Sharon Pfau, 320-230-9412, [email protected]

WHAT: Two collaborative art workshops to make art for the Duluth Sprout Film Festival in October.
FIRST: Come make a BIG piece of group artwork together!
WHEN: Wednesday, August 14 from 1-5 PM.
WHERE: UDAC's Art Junction Studio, 500 E 10th St, Duluth.
WHO: This free event is open to all members of AAAWD, Art Junction, and CHOICE ARTS Program, as well as to artists wishing to join one of more of these groups.
Please bring with you protective clothing, or wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on! All art supplies will be provided. Thanks to Art Junction for hosting this event!
QUESTIONS: Call Bree at 218-722-5867.

NEXT: A working session to create artwork that will be exhibited at the Duluth Sprout Film Festival at Zeitgeist Arts Atrium Gallery in October. NOTE: This is probably our last chance to make art together for this exhibit.
WHEN: Thursday, August 22 from 1-5 PM.
WHERE: Pineapple Art Center, 500 E. 10th St., Duluth.
WHO: This free workshop is open to all members of AAAWD (aka the AAAWD Squad), as well as to artists wishing to join AAAWD.
Bring with you protective clothing, or wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on, and any of your own art supplies. AAAWD will also have art supplies including framing on hand. Thanks to Pineapple Arts for hosting this event!
QUESTIONS: Call Bridget at 218-391-7661.
See you there!

The mission of the Arrowhead Alliance of Artists With Disabilities (AAAWD) is to promote awareness, standing, community, and opportunity for artists with disabilities in the Arrowhead region of Duluth and Northeast Minnesota.

AAAWD is an all-volunteer community group. For more information, please visit AAAWD’s online sites:
AAAWD on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Arrowhead-Alliance-Of-Artists-With-Disabilities-AAAWD/254482042445?ref=ts&fref=ts)
duluthdisabilitymural.blogspot.com
The Disability Mural Project Duluth on Facebook
or email [email protected].

Program Purpose

The Arts Ambassador Program is designed to bring professional artists with disabilities into classrooms to engage people of all ages and abilities in a presentation that discusses the Ambassador’s art form, disability and work as a professional artist.

Through this program, students and staff are able to gain experience, knowledge and understanding about:

• various art forms including visual arts, music, theater and dance/movement
• the disability culture
• the importance of and need for inclusion of people with disabilities in the arts
• the similarities that connect the human spirit of us all

Program Description

Arts Ambassadors presentations will offer new options to students who have had limited exposure to particular art forms. Participants will be reminded of the capabilities of people with disabilities.

Each presentation will include the Artist Ambassador speaking about or demonstrating their particular art form with time allowed for student questions. A representative from VSA Minnesota will share information about artists with disabilities and will draw on materials available through organizational resources. The length of each presentation will be generally between 45-60 minutes. VSA Minnesota’s arts in education coordinator will work with a designated teacher/administrator to determine what (if any) presentation accommodations will need to be made based on age, disability and/or classroom setting.

Each student attending the presentation will complete a brief 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 to the student surveys, teachers will be asked to complete a questionnaire following the presentation. Some of the questions will be similar to those asked of the students but others will address issues of curricular relevance, age and ability appropriateness and suggestions for improvements.

Eligibility

Any interested party in Minnesota is eligible to request a visit from an Arts Ambassador of their choice.

Costs

Schools will be charged a fee to offset a portion of the project expenses, $125.00 for metro area schools, $150.00 for greater Minnesota.

What to Submit

Arts Ambassador Request (Portable Document Format - PDF).
Arts Ambassador Request (Microsoft Word Format).
Arts Ambassador Request (Rich Text Format - RTF).

Teachers/school administrators can make arrangements for school visits by completing the Arts Ambassador Request (see above) and sending it to:
Jenea Rewertz-Targui, Arts in Education Coordinator.
VSA Minnesota.
528 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 305.
Minneapolis, MN 55403.
E-mail: [email protected].

The Ambassadors

For information or questions regarding this program, please contact Jenea Rewertz-Targui, Arts in Education Coordinator, phone: 612-332-3888 or email: [email protected].

Description

This roster is an approved listing of Minnesota artists (from all artistic disciplines) who have completed a thorough application, review, and interview with VSA Minnesota.

• The primary purpose of this roster is to identify and promote high quality professional artists with disabilities. The roster is intended as a resource for schools/educational settings as well as any community groups seeking artists to present to people of all ages and abilities.
• The roster has a secondary purpose to increase participants’ awareness of the importance of and need for inclusion of people with disabilities in the arts.

For information about rostered ambassadors, please contact Jenea Rewertz-Targui, 612-332-3888 or [email protected].

Arts Ambassador Roster Application

Eligibility:

Arts Ambassador Roster applicants must be:

• 18 years of age or older;
• a resident of Minnesota with a disability;
• a professional artist with expertise in one or more arts disciplines;
• have skills in working with children/ youth/teachers in educational settings.

What to Submit:

Applications are accepted on an on-going basis in the disciplines of Dance, Literary Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Artists may apply in more than one discipline. Please review the Arts Ambassador Roster Guidelines before beginning an application.

Program Purpose: To enhance creative expression and personal development through arts experiences for students with disabilities and their peers.

Program Description: VSA Minnesota’s Artists-in-Residence Grant Program provides administrative and funding support to schools and educational settings throughout the state of Minnesota who are interested in having a teaching artist work with students and staff. Residency programs are designed by coordinating teachers and teaching artists with support from VSA Minnesota’s Arts in Education Coordinator. These programs vary in length and time, dependent upon the needs of the school.

Teaching artists who work with VSA Minnesota are professional artists with expertise in one or more arts disciplines and have skills in working with children, youth, and teachers in school settings. In addition, these artists are familiar with various disabilities and effective methods for adapting techniques and differentiating instruction to reach all learners.

Read more about the VSA Minnesota Teaching Artist Roster…

Eligibility: Any public or private school in Minnesota with students with an IEP or 504 plan can submit an Artists-in-Residence Request Form. The request may be initiated by a teacher or administrator. This person serves as the primary contact for VSA Minnesota and the identified teaching artist. A minimum of 15 students with disabilities are required to participate per residency program and receive a minimum of 5 direct contact hours with the teaching artist.

Deadline: Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. As a statewide organization, we work to distribute residencies throughout the state.

Residency Costs: Schools developing an Artists-in-Residence program can request funding from VSA Minnesota in the range of $500-$1250. Schools are asked to provide support funds of $250 to help support their residency.

What to Submit: Please review the Artists-in-Residence Request Guidelines before beginning an application.

Past Awarded Sites: VSA Minnesota's 2006-2009 Artists-in-Residence List.

Description

This roster is an approved listing of Minnesota artists (from all artistic disciplines) who have completed a thorough application, review, and interview with VSA Minnesota.

• The primary purpose is to identify and promote high quality teaching artists who have particular expertise working with students with disabilities. The roster is intended as a resource for recipients of Artists-in-Residence Grants, as well as any community groups seeking teaching artists to work with their special needs population. 
• The roster has a secondary purpose of promoting and supporting professional development for teaching artists. Teaching in and through the arts is a complex profession and a growing field – and more support and training is needed.   With this roster, VSA Minnesota hopes to play a role in advancing the field of teaching artists, with the ultimate goal of supporting, strengthening, and expanding arts education for all Minnesota students.

For information about rostered teaching artists, please contact Jenea Rewertz-Targui, 612-332-3888 or [email protected].

Teaching Artist Roster Application

VSA Minnesota is implementing a new application procedure for the Teaching Artist Roster. It is our intention that it will grow and evolve over time to better serve students with disabilities and their peers within our state, as well as the Teaching Artists themselves. This roster will be more efficient, accurate, and address the needs of schools, educational settings and communities utilizing teaching artists in their programming.

Eligibility:

Teaching Artist Roster applicants must be:

• 18 years of age or older;
• a resident of Minnesota;
• professional artists with expertise in one or more arts disciplines;
• have skills in working with children/ youth/teachers in educational settings; and
• have a commitment to become familiar with various disabilities and effective methods for adapting techniques and differentiating instruction to reach all learners.

What to Submit:

Applications are accepted on an on-going basis in the disciplines of Dance, Literary Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Artists may apply in more than one discipline. Please review the Teaching Artist Roster Guidelines before beginning an application.

VSA Minnesota displays artwork by Minnesota artists with disabilities in various community locations on-going. Some exhibits feature one artist, while other exhibits include the work of many artists. In some instances, their disability directly influences their art. In other cases, their disability has little or no effect on their work. In all cases, the artists are chosen because of the excellence of their work and their continuing dedication to their craft.

Our goal is to encourage these artists by giving them a place to exhibit and sell their artwork while increasing awareness within the general population about the creativity and talent of people with disabilities. Artworks displayed are for sale and all profits go to the working artist.

Currently on View

Michelle Morine

Showing through April, 2014.
Vision Loss Resources,
1936 Lyndale Avenue S. (at Franklin Avenue), Minneapolis.
See also: Michelle Morine Exhibit at Vision Loss Resources.

Chris Juhn

Park State Bank,
430 First Avenue N., Suite 104, Minneapolis, MN.
See also: Photography Exhibit at Park State Bank.

VSA Minnesota seeks artwork that is of high artistic quality, demonstrating originality, imagination, skillful use of materials, and quality of craft. Interested artists are invited to submit an application to be considered for exhibit opportunities. Please download and submit the On-going Exhibition Application Form:

On-going Exhibition Application:

On-going Exhibition Guidelines (PDF document).
On-going Exhibition Guidelines (Word document).
On-going Exhibition Guidelines (RTF document).

On-going Exhibition Application Form (PDF document).
On-going Exhibition Application Form (Word document).
On-going Exhibition Application Form (RTF document).

Organizations or businesses interested in displaying an exhibition of artwork by artists with disabilities can contact VSA Minnesota: [email protected], 612-332-3888 or 1-800-801-3883 (both Voice or TTY).

Description

CHANGE – in life, career or art form – is explored by 17 Minnesota artists with disabilities in a new exhibit at MRA/Trusight in Plymouth.

Forty works of art that touch on the experience of transformation and change can be seen until the end of the year in the halls of MRA/Trusight, an employers association. As part of its goal to raise awareness about key management issues like employing persons with disabilities, they partnered with VSA Minnesota, a statewide nonprofit serving artists with disabilities, to coordinate this juried exhibition. The art can be viewed during business hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at MRA/Trusight’s headquarters at 9805 45th Ave. N., Plymouth, just off Highway 169 near County Road 9.

Artists include: Steven Accola, Daniel Chapa, Felix Cheng, Lisa Dietz, Gail Harbeck, Ethan E Heidlebaugh, Tara Innmon, Mary Anne Kinane, Pamela Kirton, Jon Leverentz, Sam Lynn, Michelle Morine, Jill Lynn Ness, Halle O’Falvey, Sharon Pfau, David Spohn, Annie Young.

For more information about Trusight, visit: www.trusightinc.com

For communication accommodations or information about purchasing artwork, contact Halle O’Falvey, VSA Minnesota, 612-332-3888 ext. 4 or [email protected].

This opportunity was made available in part by VSA Minnesota and Trusight, whose mission is to help our members understand how HR can play a strategic role and contribute directly to growth and the bottom line, to provide HR and management with tools and support to make that ROI contribution, and to help HR professionals communicate these important messages to the executive suite (www.trusightinc.com).

Organizations or businesses interested in displaying an exhibition of artwork by artists with disabilities please contact VSA Minnesota: [email protected] 612-332-3888 ext. 4 or 1-800-801-3883 (both Voice or TTY).

Michelle Morine has solo exhibit at Vision Loss Resources through April, 2014.

Artwork by Michelle Morine of Chaska is now on display through April 2014 at Vision Loss Resources, 1936 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Michelle, who has been drawing since a child, took up painting three to four years ago. She finds painting relieves some of her symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia, which she was diagnosed with while serving in the U.S. Air Force. She says painting gives her a sense of accomplishment and pride as well as helping her work out problem-solving skills. Her paintings have meaning to her, and she hopes viewers find their own meaning in her work.

Vision Loss Resources, Inc. has a mission to assist people who are blind or visually impaired in achieving their full potential and to enrich the lives of all persons affected by blindness or vision loss. Web site: Vision Loss Resources (www.visionlossresources.org).

You can reach VSA Minnesota’s exhibit coordinator Halle O’Falvey at 612-332-3888, ext. 4, or [email protected].

Park State Bank is located at Warehouse District, 430 1st Ave. No., Suite 104, Minneapolis and is open Monday-Friday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Artwork by Burnsville photographer Chris Juhn has been purchased by Park State Bank to grace the walls of their Minneapolis Warehouse District office.

Chris Juhn was born with a form of Autism (Asperger Syndrome). Living with a disability has made it hard for him to relate to others. As a result he started dabbling into different ways to escape the stress of being different in modern society, art being one of them.

Chris seeks a career in photography and takes every opportunity to advance his experience, like being involved with VSA Minnesota. He is also involved with the "Partners in Policy Making" in hopes of changing the future for those going through what he went through, as well as Special Olympics Athletic Leadership Program and the fight for disability rights using photography as a medium to bring change to the world around him.

"I am for all purposes an artist, but as an artist I feel I have a personal responsibility to use my art to change the world around me for good. Photography is my life and every day I take photos to escape into my own world where I can create and express what I dream."

– Chris Juhn, artist statement.

To see more of his work, visit: www.chrisjuhnphotography.com

Park State Bank is a full-service financial institution that treats all customers and their assets with respect; is committed to the financial well-being of its customers; and provides quality personal service with affordable products. Web site: Park State Bank (www.parkstatebank.com).