VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced the 15 finalists of the 2006 exhibit, “Destination Anywhere.” This exhibit is the fifth collaboration of the two organizations highlighting the works of young artists with disabilities. The exhibit will open on September 28, 2006 at the S. Dillon Ripley Center of the Smithsonian Institution and remain throughout the month of November. Awardees will receive a total of $60,000.
The Grand Prize awardee, Emily Alexander, from Chicago, Illinois, will receive $20,000 for her mixed-media work, “Butterfly.” Jordan Rhoat (First Award), from Tyrone, Pennsylvania, will receive $10,000 for an acrylic painting, “OMG! A Tsunami in the Desert on an Overcast Day.” Caleb Charland (Second Award), from Brewer, Maine, will receive $6,000 for his silver-gelatin print, “Three Jars.”
The following artists will each receive an Award of Excellence in the amount of $2,000: April Alvarez (Laie, Hawaii), Brandon Barriger (Cunningham, Kentucky), Carrie Brummer (Yarmouthport, Massachusetts), Luis Estrada (Richmond, California), Emily Francisco (DeSoto, Missouri), Jessica Goldberg (Tampa, Florida), Jarrett Inn (Germantown, Maryland), Coralina Meyer (Brooklyn, New York), Skyla Stuckey (Whispering Pines, North Carolina), Stephanie Ward (Wichita, Kansas), Eileen Wheeler (Forest Hill, Maryland), Mandi Ziino (Arcata, California). Awardees will be honored at a reception on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, September 20, 2006.
The distinguished jury panel reviewed 207 submissions from artists ages 16-25 years old. The panel consisted of William A. Newman, artist and professor, Corcoran College of Arts and Design, Washington; Agnes Gund, President Emerita of the Museum of Modern Art, New York; and Annie Gawlak, director of G Fine Arts, Washington.
This year's call for art asked artists to take viewers to unexpected conceptual locations through their work. “We encouraged artists to share their personal perspective through arts,” said Soula Antoniou, President of VSA . “We are grateful to Volkswagen of American for making this possible.”
David Geanacopoulos, Volkswagen of America’s Director of Industry-Government Relations, said: “We are excited to partner with VSA arts for another year to highlight and support the outstanding talents of young artists with disabilities.”
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