VSA arts Start with the Arts Family Festival Month-long celebration of the arts

June 1, 2006

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2006 – The VSA arts Start with the Arts Family Festival, a free month-long celebration of the arts featuring artists with disabilities of all ages, will kick-off on June 5.

The festival opens with "Transformation," an international juried exhibition debuting at the Kennedy Center Terrace Gallery, June 5-29. The exhibition will include 79 original works of art that illustrate personal experience with disability, learning, and self-discovery. "Transformation," will feature renowned artist Mark di Suvero’s "Aesope’s Fables," an 8-ton steel sculpture, on the grounds of the Kennedy Center. Di Suvero, a force in contemporary sculpture since the 1950s, is one of the most important American artists to have emerged from the Abstract Expressionist era.

"A View From My Window," an international children’s exhibit, will be at Union Station June 5-25. This call for art asked young artists with disabilities, grades K-12, to capture a snapshot of their life through painting, drawing, or sculpture and explain why it makes their "window," or perspective unique. Eleven artists were chosen as representatives to participate in a Congressional reception on June 8.

The Matt Savage Trio, a jazz ensemble, headed by 14-year-old prodigy Matt Savage, will perform at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage on June 6 at 6:00 p.m. The Matt Savage Trio and African Drum Ensemble, Tokounou, will perform a concert in the park at Farragut Square on June 8, noon until 2:00 p.m.

Union Station will feature art stops, open studios, music, and stage performances on Friday, June 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 150 Washington, D.C. elementary school children will participate in art activities on Friday morning. Art stops are open to the public throughout both days. Professional artists are: Robert Swain, wood carver from Parksley, Virginia; Anthony Delfin, mask-maker from Arlington, Virginia; Elaine Robnett Moore, bead jeweler from Silver Spring, Maryland; and Brom Wikstrom, painter from Seattle, Washington.

VSA arts is also hosting a disability book fair for children. More than 100 titles will be available for sale and several authors will be reading from their books including, Gloria Koster, author of "The Peanut-Free Café"; Marvie Ellis, author of "Keisha’s Doors" and "Taco’s Anyone"; and Cynthia Lord, author of "Rules." Ms. Wheelchair America Kristen Conners; Ms. Wheelchair D.C. Rochelle Harrod; Miss District of Columbia Shannon Schambeau; and others will also read to the children.

"The festival is a celebration of the arts for everyone," said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. "It gives children of all ages experiences in drawing, theater, dance, and music, and most of all highlights the importance of the arts in learning."

Performers on June 9-10 include:

Inner Harbor Drum Ensemble
Imagination Stage’s "Hip Hop Anansi"–an updating of the popular African tale
Bill Shannon-performance artist
The Matt Savage Trio–jazz ensemble
Tony DeBlois–pianist and singer
Derek Mortland–guitarist
Jessie Ross–jazz vocalist
MacIntyre Family Singers
Quamon Fowler–jazz saxophonist
Tokounou–African drum ensemble
Jeff Moyer–songwriter, storyteller
Anita Hollander–singer, actress
"The Women of Tin Pan Alley"–a world premier cabaret including Rob McQuay

Visit www.vsarts.org for performance schedule and more information. VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all 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.

Media Contact

Marcia Rhodes / VSA arts, (202) 628-2800, ext. 3883, marciar@vsarts.org