VSA arts Announces The 2004 International VSA arts Festival Staff

August 27, 2003

Staff in place to organize and promote citywide art festival to be held in Washington, D.C June 9-12, 2004.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C.- VSA arts Board of Directors is pleased to announce the staff members for the 2004 International VSA arts Festival, to be held in Washington, D.C., from June 9-12, 2004:

Shaena Muldoon, festival director, joined VSA arts in October 2002 with several high-profile events to her credit. Previously she oversaw productions and operations at the prestigious Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, Colorado. Ms. Muldoons extensive experience in event management includes advance manager for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay, director of events and scheduling for the U.S. Pavilion of the Worlds Fair in Lisbon, Portugal, assistant to the director of the U.S. Pavilion of the Worlds Fair in Seville, Spain, as well as coordinating several events in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. Ms. Muldoon holds a bachelor of arts in international relations from Chaminade University in Hawaii.

Wendy Turner, development director, has extensive experience in event planning and fundraising. Previous positions include director of marketing and event planning at Signatures, Washington, D.C. as well as vice president of public affairs and senior counsel for the Washington Legal Foundation. Ms. Turner has volunteered and helped raise funds for several civic organizations, including the Junior League of Washington. She holds a bachelor of arts in political science from Louisiana State University and a law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans.

Ellen Levy, public relations manager, recently relocated to Washington, D.C. from New York City. Ms. Levy previously held the position of public relations manager, North America, for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, the luxury hotel group based in Southeast Asia. Prior to joining Shangri-La, Ms. Levy was a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. She has been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Botswana, a rider in the 2000 Boston New York AIDS Ride, as well as a volunteer for NYCares. Ms. Levy holds a bachelor of arts in English from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Raymond Merkerson, festival coordinator, joins VSA arts as an event specialist, with experience coordinating events in Washington, D.C., including The National Cherry Blossom Festival and The Humane Societys Annual Bark Ball. Mr. Merkenson spent eight years in national service in the U.S. Army and is currently pursuing his masters degree in event management at The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded by Jean Kennedy Smith in 1974 to promote education and lifelong learning opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities. Each year nearly five million people worldwide participate in VSA arts programs in music, dance, drama, creative writing, and the visual arts.

The 2004 International VSA arts Festival, occurring only once every five years, will select exceptional performing, visual, media and literary artists worldwide to exhibit and perform at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Smithsonian Institution, and Union Station, as well as additional locations throughout Washington, D.C.

The Festival will concurrently host a first-ever forum, the VSA arts in Education Conference, which will bring together people with disabilities, artists, classroom teachers, administrators, and art program providers. This unique gathering will raise awareness and investigate new ideas for inclusive teaching and learning in the arts.

"The Festival is the most important event VSA arts produces," says Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. "The excellence of any organization can only be reflected through its staff and we are delighted to welcome a dedicated team of professionals to produce this showcase of artistic excellence and education in the year of our 30th anniversary."

Contact:
Shaena Muldoon
2004 International VSA arts Festival
(202) 628-2800
shaenam@vsarts.org

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