VSA arts Hosts Exhibition of Emerging Artists with Disabilities

October 12, 2007

WASHINGTON, October 12, 2007 – VSA arts presents the work of 15 emerging artists with disabilities in the Hall of States at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness month. The exhibition runs until Oct. 31.

“During National Disability Employment Awareness month, we wanted to draw attention to the work of emerging artists,” said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. “The exhibition reveals the complexity of these artists and encourages them to pursue a career in the arts.”

In 1988, Congress designated October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The month is dedicated to educating the public about issues related to disability and the employment needs of all individuals.

VSA arts believes that people with disabilities should have equal access to the arts. For the past six years VSA arts has partnered with Volkswagen of America, Inc. to identify talented emerging artists with disabilities, ages 16-25. The program, which is the largest awards program for young artists with disabilities, awarded a total of $60,000 to 15 finalists.

The artists participating in the Kennedy Center exhibition were selected via their participation in the current VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc. exhibition, “Driven,” on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s S. Dillon Ripley Center through Dec. 31. Jury members selected additional work by the artists to be included in the Kennedy Center exhibition.

Finalists from previous years have said that their involvement in the program has played a pivotal role in their professional development and has laid the foundation for the pursuit of an art career. On display in the Hall of States this year will be work from the following artists:

Sarah Beren, 23, Rochester, N.Y.
saac Caruso, 19, Phoenix, Ariz.
David Castro, 23, Visalia, Calif.
Laurel Ebenal, 22, Ellensburg, Wash.
Elayna Flodin, 24, Beaverton, Ore.
Wes Holloway, 23, Katy, Texas
E. Brooke Lanier, 23, Chicago, Ill.
Ryan McDonnell, 21, Northampton, Mass.
Jessica Merrell, 23, Albuquerque, N.M.
Anjali Poddar, 22, Andover, Mass.
Patti Pogodzinski, 17, Jacksonville, Fla.
Jacolby Satterwhite, 21, Baltimore, Md.
Holly Schuh, 21, Altura, Minn.
Merlin Strivelli, 16, Weaverville, N.C.
Hannah Zurko, 21, Wooster, Ohio

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

Media Contact:

Stephanie Taylor/VSA arts
(202) 628-2800 ext. 3883
SKTaylor@vsarts.org