Ten Young Artists With Disabilities

Ten Young Artists With Disabilities 'Expressing Freedom' at The Smithsonian -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. and VSA Arts Will Present $25,000 in Cash Awards

Story Filed: Thursday, September 05, 2002 12:56 PM EST

WASHINGTON, Sep 5, 2002 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- VSA arts announced today that ten artists, ages 17 to 25, each with a disability, have been selected to exhibit their work at the S. Dillon Ripley Center, Smithsonian Institution from September 26 through October 27, 2002. Each artist will also receive a cash award from Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Jean Kennedy Smith, former Ambassador to Ireland and founder of VSA arts as Very Special Arts in 1974, emphasized the timely importance of "Expressing Freedom." "These celebrated young artists demonstrate perfectly the value of the arts as a universal language. There is no barrier that can't be broken- down. That's a powerful message anytime, but especially today."

In February of this year, VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc. launched "Expressing Freedom," a call for art which encourages young artists with disabilities to contemplate freedom in their lives. The resulting 131 submissions demonstrated that freedom does not always refer to an external state but, as reflected by an abundance of self-portraits received, can be more intimate and personal.

The adjudication panel of experts reviewed the 131 entries and the ten finalists will be honored at a September 24th reception on Capitol Hill. The exhibit formally opens at the Ripley Center on September 26th.

Beth Ziebarth, director of the Smithsonian Institution Accessibility Program said, "We at the Smithsonian Institution are pleased to celebrate the talents of young artists with disabilities by hosting the 'Expressing Freedom' exhibition. Collaborating with VSA arts on this and future projects is of benefit not only for our programming staff but more importantly for Smithsonian visitors."

    The adjudicators for "Expressing Freedom" were:

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
    Mr. William Newman, Artist and Educator

Matthew Krawcheck from Coral Gables, Florida is the "Expressing Freedom" grand prize awardee. Matthew is hearing impaired and when asked to provide a statement about freedom he wrote, "I live in a world in which spoken language is muted and indistinct. Visual art gave me the freedom to communicate with intensity and precision that broke through the frustration of acquiring language." Matthew will receive a $10,000 cash award, which he plans to use this year for tuition at the Kansas City Art Institute in Arkansas.

The first prize award of $5,000 goes to Bill Ferguson of The Woodlands, Texas who is a first year student at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. The second award of $3,000 went to Dana Liebermann of Philadelphia. Dana is a student at New York University. Seven Awards of Excellence will be given to Ailson Carvalho (Boston, Massachusetts), Gianna Marzilli (Rhode Island), Carrie Wheeler (Michigan), Ashley Youkilis (Ohio), Samantha Maggio (Pennsylvania), Justin Duffus (California), and Timothy Batten (New Jersey.) Each of the seven winners will receive a $1,000 cash award.

Some of the disabilities represented are blindness, deafness, developmental disorders, Asperger's syndrome, Hodgkin's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and learning disabilities.

Soula Antoniou, acting president of VSA arts said, "'Expressing Freedom' is the mission of VSA arts. Programs like this, which provide support and encouragement, offer life changing opportunities for young artists. The partnership that has been forged between VSA arts and Volkswagen of America has resulted in an unprecedented cash award going to benefit young artists. It is this kind of relationship that makes it possible for us to serve our constituents to the fullest."

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

VSA arts promotes the arts as a way to enrich the lives of 6.5 million children and young people with disabilities. Through its affiliates in 40 states and 60 countries, VSA arts encourages the arts for everyone through programs in the visual arts, music, dance and creative writing. For more information about VSA arts or events scheduled through an affiliate, please call Stephanie Moore or Tanya Travers at 202-628-2800 or visit the website at http://www.vsarts.org/ . To view the Expressing Freedom online please visit the exhibit at http://www.vsarts.org/gallery/exhibits/vw/index.html .

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen A.G. As America's top-selling European brand, Volkswagen markets a full line of vehicles through a network of some 500 dealers in the United States.