WVSA ARTs connection

WVSA ARTs connection (WVSA) is a unique non-profit organization providing multiple creative environments, opportunities, and experiences for children and adults through arts-infused educational and vocational programs.

Touchstone Gallery Artists

"Mindscapes" Exhibit Opening Reception

Thursday, April 15 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Touchstone Gallery artists, in their exhibit "Mindscapes," explore landscapes of the mind in both abstract and representational ways. Most of the works reveal a reality that goes beyond the natural world we perceive and into the interior of the artists' hearts and imagination.

Within these contemporary interior panoramas, Touchstone artists share their unique perspectives in paint, sculpture, hand pulled prints, photography, and collage.

The opening reception is Thursday, April 15 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and the exhibit runs through Friday, May 14.

This is a WVSA 3rd Thursday event and is free and open to the public. WVSA is located at 16th and L Streets, NW. For more information, call (202) 261-0204 or e-mail gallery@wvsarts.org.

ARTiculate Program Featured in Street Sense

Read here the full-page article "Where the Art Is: WVSA" about WVSA's ARTiculate Program that was featured in the November 11-24, 2009 issue of Street Sense.

The article discusses WVSA's GED, literacy, and employment training program and the role of the arts in such programs. As WVSA President and CEO Rick Offner puts it, "broadly, our mission is to provide people with disabilities and other disadvantages with an equitable access to the arts."

Street Sense is a Washington, DC-based biweekly street newspaper that raises public awareness on the issues of homelessness and poverty in the city and creates economic opportunities for people experiencing homelessness.

Meet ARTiculate Artist Apprentice Cleon

ARTiculate Student Cleon Jackson Cleon Jackson loves to paint. "It's a good feeling," he says. For the past three years, 24-year-old Cleon has been creating beautiful artwork in WVSA's ARTiculate Employment Training Program, a program that includes an artist apprenticeship for young people with special needs or disabilities.

Cleon enjoys all his teachers and he beams as he talks about "Mr. Jude," Jude Crannitch, a talented artist, musician, and senior art teacher at WVSA for the past 17 years. "He's fun. He keeps me going and pushes me to do better."

Cleon not only learns from his instructors, but he also enjoys learning from his fellow students. He adds that students learn from him, too, and he likes showing new students the ropes.

Since coming to WVSA, Cleon feels wiser and likes learning new things every day. He says the ARTiculate Program has also given him greater self-confidence.

Cleon is grateful to "Mr. Brown," Director of the ARTiculate Program Marvin Brown, whom Cleon says is a mentor and a good father figure. "Mr. Brown points me in the right direction and teaches me right from wrong."

Cleon is not only an artist, but also an athlete. Every Wednesday after he puts down a paintbrush, Cleon picks up a basketball to play wheelchair basketball. Since he was 12, Cleon has participated in Special Olympics in wheelchair basketball and track.

The Artist Apprentices also learn the business side of art. They receive a commission on the sale of their artwork and get career-readiness training. Cleon would like to apply the artistic and business skills he developed at WVSA to become an entrepreneur and sell his paintings on his own Web site. He is also working on designs for t-shirts and would like to sell those on-line, too.

Cleon enjoys seeing his paintings exhibited in the ARTiculate Gallery and talking to people about his art.

For infomation about the ARTiculate Program, call (202) 296-9100, ext. 215 or e-mail articulate@wvsarts.org.

Help Spread Holiday Cheer and Support WVSA's Artist Apprentices

WVSA's Holiday Cards and Wrapping Paper Now on Sale

Ten Percent Discount Through October 31

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Hanukkah! However you celebrate the holidays, make sure to ARTiculate your holidays!

We know it's early, but WVSA's ARTiculate Gallery is excited to announce that our one-of-a-kind holiday cards are now available for purchase. Not only are the cards with unique artwork by WVSA's Artist Apprentices, but your purchase supports the programs that WVSA provides for children and youth with special needs, talents, and skills.

Every holiday season, the Artist Apprentices in WVSA's ARTiculate Employment Training Program design holiday cards that are warm, colorful, fun, and perfect for the holidays!

Cards are blank inside, but a message can be personalized for your family or business. White envelopes are included with each order.

You can view the cards and order them on-line on WVSA's Web site, call the WVSA ARTiculate Gallery at (202) 261-0204, or send an e-mail to gallery@wvsarts.org. Or you can stopy by and buy or order them in person at the ARTiculate Gallery at 1100 16th Street, NW on the corner of 16th and L Street Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

Wrapping paper with the same design as some of the holiday cards is available for sale in the ARTiculate Gallery. There is a ten percent discount on all orders of cards and wrapping paper through October 31.

Support SAIL While You Shop

The School for ARTs in Learning (SAIL) is participating in several store card reward programs where if you register your store card using SAIL's school code and use the card when you shop, SAIL earns a percentage of the purchases.

Go to these store sites to designate SAIL:

Giant Foods: Click here and SAIL's School ID is 03711.

Harris Teeter: Click here and SAIL's School Code is 6773.

Target's REDcard: Click here and SAIL's School ID is 126713.

Safeway: Information will be available later in October.

WVSA ARTiculate Program's Artist Apprentices

Gallery Opening and Artist Reception

Thursday, November 19 -- 5:30pm to 7:30pm

On Thursday, November 19 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, WVSA's ARTiculate Program students will share their talents at an exhibit opening and artist reception.This exhibt will explore forms of transportation for those with disabilities.

This gallery opening and artist reception is part of WVSA ARTs connection's 3rd Thursdays where the third Thursday evening of every month WVSA presents an artistic event that is free to the public.

For more information about this exhibit, the ARiculate Gallery or 3rd Thursday events, call (202) 261-0204 or e-mail gallery@wvsarts.org.

The WVSA ARTiculate Gallery is located at the corner of 16th and L Street, NW and is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

WVSA ARTs Connection Launches

3rd Thursdays

Explore the arts every third Thursday of the month with WVSA's ARTiculate Gallery and support local youth.

WVSA ARTs connection launches 3rd Thursdays this fall by opening its doors the third Thursday evening of every month to host free gallery openings, performances, film screenings, author readings, and more!

WVSA is striving to create an opportunity for established and aspiring artists to educate local youth and share their art with the local community.

On September 17, WVSA had its inaugural 3rd Thursday event with a gallery opening reception for artist Leila Holtsman. Below guests are enjoying the evening celebrating Holtsman's artwork.

New Leadership for WVSA

After more than 29 years service, Dr. L. Lawrence Riccio, Founder, President and CEO of WVSA ARTs connection retired on June 30. Dr. Riccio’s vision and commitment to children and youth of all abilities led to the creation of WVSA and the SAIL Public Charter School, and his passion for education and community service has enabled these organizations to grow into the vital programs they are today.

On July 1, Dr. Richard Offner joined WVSA as the new President and CEO. Dr. Offner is not new to WVSA/SAIL, having served as a member of the WVSA and SAIL boards for the past 11 years. He comes to his new position with over 25 years of experience managing complex interdisciplinary organizations. He is also an educator and researcher, with a Ph.D. in special education and rehabilitation psychology.

More then just his credentials, Dr. Offner is committed to the continued success of SAIL and WVSA, and with a thorough understanding of Dr. Riccio’s legacy, he brings unfailing stamina to be an advocate for the children we serve.

help us provide

Friendship ... Love ...Creativity

Safety ...Fun ...ART

Excitement .Laughter ...

Education

to all kids
because we know they deserve it!

You can even adopt a WVSA project or a SAIL classroom, and buy greeting cards online! All proceeds support WVSA & SAIL‘s efforts to bring quality education to children and youth in our community.

By registering for WVSA & SAIL’s Friends Asking Friends, you will be able to:
• Build a Webpage for yourself (or a team);
• Set a personal fundraising goal; and
• Monitor the progress in real time.

Register/Log in Here

You have more power than you think – Ask 10 friends to donate $100 or 20 friends to donate $50 and in turn, you’ve raised $1,000 for children with special needs, all without leaving your desk!

WVSA and SAIL provide unique services to the at-risk children and youth of DC by using the arts as a tool to facilitate academic achievement, employment training, and life skills attainment. Recognized as national models for arts-infused, student-based educational service delivery in assistance to at-risk children and youth with special needs, WVSA and SAIL invite you to join the Friends asking Friends phenomenon to help us serve more deserving young people in DC!

Thank you for supporting WVSA ARTs connection & the School for ARTs In Learning (SAIL)!

April 18, 2008

Every Dog Has its Day: Celebrating Our Canine Companions

April 09, 2008

DC STYLE MAGAZINE
Painted Pets

Sep 24, 2007
Bosom Buddies
Reading and Literacy Buddy Volunteer Program

March 2008
WUSA9 NEWS NOW LIVE at 6am
"ART IN MOTION" Sports are not just fun and games…

Feb 01, 2008
Sweetest Things 2007: Top Dogs
Sweetest Things 2007 Winners

Dec 18, 2007
Sweetest Things 2007: Listen Up
Vote for Your Favorite Sound Nominee

December 4, 2007

Daily Candy
She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)
You can’t buy her love, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Whether she’s your Penny Lane, Lady Madonna, or sexy Sadie, at the end of the day, she’s always a classic.
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Get Back
Channel childhood nostalgia with a Lucite crane, key, or tiger necklace from KidViskous. Score stationery, calendars, and pillows at ARTiculate Gallery (1100 16th Street NW; 202-296-9100). All proceeds support the young adults with special needs who made them.
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For full story please click on http://www.dailycandy.com/washington_dc/article/34043/She+Loves+You+Yeah+Yeah+Yeah