1999-2000 VA/VSA Retrospective Exhibit at the 1999 International Art & Soul Festival
	VSA arts, formerly Very Special Arts, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have enjoyed 10 years of bringing arts opportunities to veterans at various VA medical centers and VA health care facilities around the country. Designed to encourage independence, communication skills, and the artistic talents of veterans with disabilities, the success of VA/VSA arts program participants was celebrated during the 1999 VA/VSA arts Retrospective Exhibit, exhibited in conjunction with VSA arts' International Art & Soul Festival held in Downtown Los Angeles. The VSA arts' largest and single most important event, Art & Soul Festival brought together thousands of people with disabilities from around the world to showcase their creative talents, share adaptive arts techniques, and exchange valuable information on the arts, disability and culture. Held every four years, VSA arts international festivals are the culmination of comprehensive programming efforts in local communities throughout the world.
	The VA/VSA arts Retrospective Exhibit consisted of 39 works of art by 20 veteran artists representing 7 states, including paintings, photographs, carvings, and sculptures (see attached list). These works were selected by jury from submissions solicited through a call-for-entries sent to local VA/VSA arts programs and individual veteran artists whose work had been included in previous VA/VSA arts exhibits. A panel of four visual art professionals/educators chose the 40 highest ranking pieces from among a total of 209 submissions from 47 artists in 11 states. The final exhibit of 39 pieces was installed according to the Smithsonian Institution guidelines for accessible exhibition design, with flat works mounted on white walls at a medium height of 50" and all sculptures on pedestals at a wheelchair accessible level. The works of Michael Naranjo, which the sculptor encourages be touched, were additionally labeled with Braille signs for the benefit of visitors who were blind.
	On Sunday, May 30th, a reception honoring ten years of the VA/VSA arts Program. John D. Kemp, former President and CEO ofVSA arts, led the remarks with guest speakers Larry Long (Director of Recreation Therapy Services at the Department of Veterans Affairs), Bonnie Derwinksi (co-founder of the VA/VSA arts Program in 1989), Thomas C. Sheehan (veteran artist from Illinois), and Suzanne Mirviss (a long time local program coordinator in San Francisco, CA). The 150+ person audience included a high proportion of veterans: artists whose work was shown, members of the Los Angeles veteran community (brought over in vans from the Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care Center at West L.A. by the generous cooperation of Helen Medlock), and Art & Soul festival participants.
	With its prominence as an exhibit of the VSA arts International Art & Soul Festival, the VA/VSA arts Retrospective Exhibit positively contributed to the VA/VSA arts Program's goals. During its run, the exhibit was viewed by over 800 people and generated greater exposure for both the program and its participants. In addition, the exhibit provided yet another opportunity for veterans to participate in the arts, encouraging the selected artists to continue their artwork and to work towards increased independence and self-confidence. In attracting the attention of international festival attendees, VSA arts affiliates, local veterans, the disability community at large, and the public, the exhibit also increased public interaction with and appreciation of veterans and the role the arts can play in the rehabilitation and recovery process.