Call for Art!

VSA arts of Michigan-Grand Rapids will showcase a special gallery exhibition of artwork by VSA artists in November, 2010 at the Forest Hills Fine Art Center Gallery. The Forest Hills Fine Arts Gallery showcases the talents of artists from throughout Michigan in exhibitions through-out the year.

VSA is soliciting artwork created by artists with disabilities of all ages for this upcoming special exhibition. Artwork received by VSA by the deadline of Friday, February 26, 2010 will be juried to create an exhibit of approximately 30 pieces that includes a full range of ages, abilities, and geographical representation.

To learn more and to download the application form, click here.

For questions about this opportunity call Katie or Michele at #885-5866 or e-mail vsaprogram@iserv.net or vsagr@iserv.net.

An Amway GRAND Tour

With many of our students interested in exploring careers in the culinary arts, getting a chance to see into the inner workings of a commercial kitchen is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. On Wednesday morning, the VSA Arts & Mentoring class got that chance with a behind-the-scenes look at the amazing culinary operations at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. We learned that on some days, the culinary department can serve as many as 4,500 people in their special events alone!

The tour started at the Hotel’s loading dock as the order of fresh fruits and vegetables was being delivered. Fresh produce is delivered daily to the hotel! From there, we toured the special kitchen used just for the produce. From special sinks to a full-sized cooler, the fresh fruits and vegetables are kept separate from all other aspects of the culinary prep to avoid any contamination.

We even met Executive Chef Josef Huber in the main kitchen, who was busy preparing for the lunch menu for the day. Speaking with Chef Sally, who was busy preparing bacon for a recipe, we learned about the training needed to work as a cook in the kitchen. Our own Grand Rapids Community College has one of the finest two-year culinary degree programs in the area and many of those graduates now work for the Hotel. Other line cooks learn their jobs through on-the-job training and many years of experience.

We thank Assistant Catering Director Darrin Lettinga for giving us this wonderful tour.

Early Childhood Art Exploration

Students from Wellerwood, West Leonard, and Ridgemoor Early Childhood Centers enjoy their second eight weeks of art with Phil Wilson teaching Pottery (Wellerwood), Mary Riley teaching Puppetry and Song (West Leonard) and Lori Teft teaching Creative Movement (Ridgemoor).

For the full picture album, go to our facebook page.

Pamper Yourself!

Come enjoy food, beverages, and a sampling of select Vasaio Services. The cost of the event is $50 and all money will go to support VSA.
There are still a few spots left so sign up today by calling #885-5866 or by e-mailing Katie at vsaprogram@iserv.net.

Grand Valley Artist's Newsletter

VSA was highlighted in "GVA Highlights: A Monthly Publication of Grand Valley Artists Inc."
See what was said:

Message From VSA
Making a Difference Through the Arts
VSA arts of Michigan- Grand Rapids (“VSA”) is a unique organization with
a unique mission. VSA provides access to and opportunities in the arts to
people with disabilities. Through their programs, VSA helps people with
disabilities gain self-confidence, become more independent and to develop
their creative voice. Each year, through its 16 programs, VSA provides arts
classes and other arts opportunities to over 4,000 individuals in our community.

Meet Alex*
In VSA’s Graduated Art classes for adults with disabilities, each week
student-artists explore new and exciting art projects, from creating candle
holders decoupaged with tissue paper or fashioning necklaces and
bracelets to painting beautiful watercolors. After the class, Alex and
several of his friends started keeping the plastic CD covers that they
were sorting, which are normally thrown away. When asked, Alex told
us that he was saving the covers in order to glue tissue paper to them and
create mobiles- a program he learned about during the VSA art class!

Meet the Puppets
In their early childhood special education art class, VSA introduces children
to the wonderful world of puppets. Using the puppets, the artist
teaches emotions, gender – “is Happy (the puppet) a boy or a girl?”,
colors and appropriate touch—“can you gently shake Sad’s hand?” The
puppets are also used to aid with singing, to help learn attention skills
and communication.
“It’s wonderful seeing Marcus* responding to the humor—he LOVEs
it” raves classroom nurse Pat. Classroom aid Kate adds “It’s been so
positive for our kids. Such a nice change to the normal routine and
something they look forward to. Even Molly*, who is blind, really tunes
in. You can hear her singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star long after the
song is done.”

How Can You Help Other Budding Artists like Alex, Marcus and
Molly?
VSA is always looking for interested community members to become
partners in our organization. If you would like to learn more, VSA offers
Very Special Tours to the community to see our programs and organization
in action. These tours are one hour long and are free to attend- all
you need to do is call VSA to set-up your tour time!

Volunteer
Are you interested in volunteering? VSA needs help in many areas.
Classroom assistants work alongside teaching artists to help students in
their art classes. These volunteers are friends and mentors to our students.
Office assistants help in the many tasks that are needed to
successfully run the VSA offices on a day-to-day basis, from website
and blog updates to mailings to correspondence. Board members and
planning team members help VSA to set and to carry out the strategic
plan to help the organization fulfill the VSA mission. Through these
jobs, you will have a voice in the path that VSA takes into the future.

Teaching Artists
Are you interested in teaching for VSA? VSA is always looking for new
artists to lead our arts programs and classes. We are looking for good
teachers, who have a passion for helping others learn about the arts.
These paid positions provide a wonderful opportunity for the right artists
to pass their wonderful talents and gifts onto others. Right now, VSA
has an immediate need for new photography teachers! (There is an application
and interview process required to become a teacher for VSA.)

Advocate for VSA
VSA needs other voices to join with them. Advocates help VSA by
organizing Very Special Tours, setting up art supply drives in the community
or even hosting a table at VSA’s annual Very Special Event Luncheon
in June of each year.

Want to learn more? Here’s how! Call or e-mail Michele or Katie
at VSA at #616-885-5866 or at vsagr@iserv.net to come in for a tour.
Check out the VSA website at: www.vsagr.org or the blog at www.
vsagr.blogspot.com. Become a fan of VSA on our Facebook page at
VSA arts of Michigan Grand Rapids.

*Names are pseudonyms
http://www.gvami.com/newsletters/january2010.pdf

Creative Movement Video!

See what Clark Communications has to say about VSA's Early Childhood Creative Movement Classes. Then go to the link below to watch the fun!

"Remember when you were a kid and somehow you learned to do somersaults - maybe from your older brother or your preschool gym class? Somehow you learned to balance yourself, jump, swing, follow directions and be a little gymnast.

The reality is, not every kid has an older sibling or cousin or even parent to teach them these skills. For some kids it is a much tougher process due to a disability, to be able to learn and practice balance/technique.

I was honored to attend one of the VSA programs called "Creative Movement". VSA has set up a teacher who teaches these skills to children at learning centers in GR. This class is specific to children with disabilities or "at-risk" kids between the ages of 2-6 years. With respect for the teachers, children and families, all of these kids have been approved to be on video (just so you know).

I wanted to take you into the same thought pattern I was experiencing while watching these kids in their classroom setting. The laughter and joy was so contagious, that I was smiling the whole time I was there (I think you will too :)

Watch the children as they learn very small and simple things like following directions, keeping balance on one foot, curling their knees to their chest and rocking backwards. Remember that these are skills that most of us take for granted.

Please take some time to watch this video with that thought in mind. Look at the kids faces, their concentration and ambition. The video is over 9 min. long, so skip through a bit and listen to them laugh and learn life skills that teach them to socially interact and understand body awareness."

Guest Blog Entry by Jennifer Luth, Clark Communications

http://www.youtube.com/user/clarkcommunication#p/a/u/0/2q1haJ7nIjE