Fifteen Young Artists with Disabilities Selected to Receive $30,000 in Cash Awards from Volkswagen of America, Inc. and VSA arts

October 6, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. - Fifteen young artists with disabilities have been selected by a distinguished panel of professionals for the "Road Trip: A Journey of Discovery" exhibit. They will be honored at a private reception on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, October 8, 2003. Following the reception, the exhibit will be on view to the public starting October 10, 2003 at the Gallery in the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. through January 2, 2004.

In May 2003, 20,000 calls for entries were sent to high schools, colleges, independent living centers and art organizations around the country inviting young artists with disabilities to participate in this exhibit. Artists were asked to submit work that reflected the theme "Road Trip: A Journey of Discovery." The jury panel, comprised of Dr. Jonathan P. Binstock, curator of contemporary art, Corcoran Gallery of Art; Ms. Phyllis Rosenzweig, curator of works on paper, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution; Mr. Chris Bradley, vice president- creative director, Arnold Worldwide; and Professor William Newman, artist and educator, Corcoran College of Art and Design, selected the 15 finalists from 84 submissions.

Awardees will be honored at a reception on Capitol Hill on October 8, 2003, followed by a three-month long exhibit at the Children's National Medical Center. The grand prize awardee is Jonathan Wos from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He will receive $10,000 which he plans to use to continue his studies in fine art. The first award for $5,000 will be given to Gianna Marzilli from Williamstown, Massachusetts, who plans to use the money to pay for her education at Williams College. The second award for $3,000 will be given to Nathan Paluzzi from Baltimore, Maryland. Twelve Awards of Excellence in the amount of $1,000 each will be given to Ailson Carvalho (Washington, D.C.), David Beharry (Florida), Karina Chaikhoutdinov (New York), Kaye Evans-Lutterodt (Massachusetts), William Ferguson (Texas), Jordan Foster (Florida), Jennifer Jacques (Vermont), Meredith Lamy (North Carolina), Kelley McAdams (Michigan), Mame N'Diaye (Virginia), Catron Peterson (Kentucky), and Jennifer Thomas (Massachusetts). A full spectrum of disabilities is represented in this exhibition that includes osteogenesis imperfecta, diabetes, blindness, Asperger's syndrome, cerebral palsy quadpalegia, Down syndrome, and autism.

Each artist was asked to provide a statement in their application. Jonathan Wos, the grand prize awardee, wrote "My disability affects my art just as much as my art affects the way I think about my disability& Art is a window to my life..."

Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts shares, "Once again, we are pleased to partner with Volkswagen of America in continuing to recognize talented young artists with disabilities. Together with recognition from the art community, the cash awards help each artist further their education in the arts."

Steve Keyes, Volkswagen director of corporate communications, comments, "Part of VSA arts' mission is to strengthen the human spirit, thereby improving the quality of life for these young artists. Volkswagen is proud to support and share in this endeavor."

Ability Magazine is the media sponsor for "Road Trip: A Journey of Discovery" and will feature the 15 finalists in their October/November issue.

VSA arts promotes the arts as a way to enrich the lives of nearly five million children and young people with disabilities. Through its affiliates in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 64 foreign countries, VSA arts encourages the arts for everyone through programs in the visual arts, music, dance, and creative writing. VSA arts will present the 2004 International VSA arts Festival from June 9-12, 2004 in Washington, D.C. Artists from around the world will perform and exhibit at locations such as the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Union Station, and the Smithsonian Institution. For more information about VSA arts or events scheduled through an affiliate, please call Ellen Levy or Stephanie Moore at (202) 628-2800 or visit the Web site at http://www.vsarts.org. An online exhibition of "Road Trip: A Journey of Discovery" is available at http://www.vsarts.org/gallery/exhibits/vw/2003 .

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG. As America's top-selling European brand, Volkswagen markets a full line of vehicles through a network of some 600 dealers in the United States.

Contact:
Tanya Travers
VSA arts
202-628-2800

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