Exhibitions

ANEW

ANEW is the latest Inclusive Arts Vermont exhibition showcasing works by Vermont artists with disabilities. This is a traveling exhibition of work by 29 Vermont artists with disabilities. The included artwork represents each artists’ unique interpretation of the title – highlighting beginnings, doorways, fresh starts, and opportunity. The mission of Inclusive Arts Vermont is to engage the capabilities and enhance the confidence of children and adults with disabilities.

Click here to view an interview with Gwendolyn Evans, Heidi Swevens, and Katie Miller about the exhibition.

A verbal description of the video is available here.

The show features numerous accessibility features, including large print and braille documents, verbal descriptions of all artwork, tactile representations, and specialized gallery tours.

ANEW will open at the Flynn Center in Burlington on February 15, 2020, and travel statewide to the following locations:

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH: October 6, 2020 – January 6, 2021
Main Street Arts, Saxton’s River: January – February, 2021
Vermont State House, Montpelier: March 2021
T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier: April – May, 2021

Presented with support from: Vermont Community Foundation Arts Endowment Fund, the Vermont Arts Council, and Fountain Fund.

ANEW Artist Talks

From Fall 2020 through Spring 2021, we’re holding monthly virtual talks with artists from the ANEW exhibition. Talks are held the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm on Facebook Live.

Click here to experience the first ANEW Artist Talk with Aurora Berger in conversation with Executive Director Katie Miller.

Click here for the ANEW Artist Talk with Cristina Clarimon in conversation with Director of Community Partnerships Heidi Swevens.

Click here for the ANEW Artist Talk with Jean Cherouny in conversation with Heid Swevens.

Click here for the ANEW Artist Talk with Robert Gold in conversation with Heidi Swevens.

For all videos, full transcripts and verbal description links in description on YouTube.

History

In 2012, we hosted Engage, a traveling, statewide exhibition of work by Vermont artists with disabilities. In 2018, we again partnered with the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and the VT Association for the Blind to present FLOURISH, an exhibition the work of 36 artists with disabilities. The show was on view at the Flynn’s Tarrant gallery for 3 months and featured works in acrylic, oil, and watercolor; drawings in ink, pastel, crayon, and charcoal; photographs, ceramics, weaving, and mixed-media sculpture and assemblages. The exhibition received an overwhelmingly positive response, with the opening reception welcoming hundreds of visitors.

“I was validated, and with quiet breath, am able to finally at least whisper tomyself, that perhaps I am an ‘artist’. The experience was exhilarating, fun, and has given me a great deal more confidence in my artistic ability than ever before. I am so grateful to VSA for all the opportunities granted to me with this experience.”
Gail Wheeler, Participant Artist

As part of these exhibitions, we offer a full range of accessibility services including print materials in braille and large print, an audio tour, verbal descriptions of every work in the show, and specialized tours for people with low vision or blindness and memory loss.

For more information about exhibitions, contact Heidi Swevens, Director of Community Partnerships or Katie Miller, Executive Director.

A crowd gathers for the opening of "FLOURISH." At right, artworks line the wall. At left, individuals are engaged in conversation. A viewer in a teal scarf looks directly at the work on the wall. — A crowd gathers for the opening of “FLOURISH.” At right, artworks line the wall. At left, individuals are engaged in conversation. A viewer in a teal scarf looks directly at the work on the wall.

Two hands enter from either side of the frame. They touch a 3-D printing of artwork by Sasha Ross-Becker.

A screenshot of two people, artist Cristina Clarimon and Inclusive Arts Vermont team member Heidi Swevens. Cristina on left speaks animatedly with her hands, a bookshelf and plants behind her. Heidi listens warmly with a bright smile.

A group of students from the LEAP program gathered in a group while smiling at the camera after a gallery tour of "FLOURISH." — A group of students from the LEAP program gathered in a group while smiling at the camera after a gallery tour of “FLOURISH.”