April 9, 2003

Museum art show exhibits abilities

Show features talents of VSA arts students

By
Herald staff writer

      Some young artists will have the chance to see their work on exhibit in a real museum this month.
      The Great Lakes Children's Museum, VSA Arts of Michigan-Grand Traverse Area and Marshall Fields Project Imagine have sponsored a special art exhibition featuring the talent of students with disabilities throughout the TBA-ISD as part of National Overture of Education and the Arts week.
      VSA, an international organization with an active local chapter, creates learning opportunities through the arts for hundreds of people with disabilities in the region. The organization offers arts-based programs in creative writing, dance, drama, music and the visual arts.
      The exhibit at the Great Lakes Children's Museum demonstrates the talents of students participating in the VSA arts program. Students in Kathie Scott's physical or otherwise health impaired classroom at Eastern Elementary are among the exhibitors.
      Scott's students created a six by six foot mixed media on canvas painting using wheelchair paint rollers and other household devices adapted for paint and other media application.
      "We had to get creative for the kids to be able to reach the middle of the canvas. We used poles with brushes and rollers. We even used a remote control car dipped in white paint," Scott said.
      "One of our students is blind so we used oatmeal and other cereal products so he could feel the texture," Scott noted.
      The exhibit, featuring drawings and paintings from students throughout the Grand Traverse region, will continue through the month of April at the museum.
      "We are pleased to offer this show. It provides an important opportunity for public recognition of area students with disabilities and their creative talents," said John Noonan, executive director of the Great Lakes Children's Museum.
      The Great Lakes Children's Museum, located at 336 W. Front St. at the corner of Front and Hall, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 932-4526.