Welcome to IAV’s Digital Memory Book.
Our work could not have happened without community. We are so grateful for all the experiences, art, creativity, community, inclusion, and impact we made together.
As we approached the sunset of Inclusive Arts Vermont on June 30, 2025, community members were invited to share their memories and reflections. Those entries are archived below.
I had minor involvement in the early days of Very Special Arts” (VSA) in Washington, DC when it was was started by Jean Kennedy Smith. I was working for Special Olympics in DC through the 1980’s and it was inevitable that my relationship with Eunice Kennedy Shriver would put me in VSA’s orbit. When I moved back to my native Vermont in 2004, I sought out VSA VT and became a board member. A great organization!
Steven
Interning at Inclusive Arts Vermont changed the course of my life and my career. I found my passion integrating art, education and working with people that led me to pursue a graduate degree in Art Therapy and Counseling. I think back on my time at Inclusive Arts with such fondness, witnessing the magic that happened when art and expression was made accessible in so many ways to so many people through visual arts, music, and dance. I learned so much working with the IAV team and the participants.
Rachel
I came out of retirement (I directed and taught pre-school for 20 years) to become an instructor for the early childhood Start With The Arts program under Peggy Rainville. Basically, I missed playing with children. I wholeheartedly supported the philosophy of child-directed activities and art had been a big part of our pre-school program. I looked forward to messing around with art materials and kids. What I didn’t expect to love was working with the providers….I felt more comfortable with youngsters. However, working with the caregivers, teachers and directors became what I truly enjoyed about the job. I was in awe of their kindness, dedication and interest in better understanding of the arts. We all supported each other and it was wonderful. We read great books together, we provided a variety of art experiences to children, and we saw them grow in confidence and self-awareness. I miss that rewarding work, and I miss the other SWTA instructors who were so inspiring and supportive. IAV can be proud of the service it provided to so many teachers, and in turn to so many children and families who perhaps found a creative part of themselves through art.
Carol
You are such an excellent organization to be involved with, and have helped me move to where I am today. I was with you when your title was still VSA Vermont, and you helped with my hop from VT to NYC with my first work experience with VSA NYC.
Sasha
Another strong memory that will relay is through your promotion of one of my graphic designs to Bernie Sanders office.
As an artist, it has been devastating to lose Inclusive Arts and all it means to the disabled community. Over the years, their gallery shows have brought about amazing connections between artists and amongst viewers too. There is nothing comparable to discovering that your work has touched someone and that your voice through art means so much to others. Especially so, as a person with chronic illness that is often isolated by necessity. To feel seen, heard, and understood is a powerful thing for all involved.
Lissa
I just wanted to take a minute to share some love about the incredible work Inclusive Arts Vermont has done with us over the years. Before we became Eagle Bay Academy, we were two separate schools: OnTop and Horizons. And honestly, some of our most joyful, creative, and connected moments came when Inclusive Arts Vermont artists showed up and transformed our spaces into places of expression, courage, and community. I also had the experience of doing numerous residencies and partnerships while I lead the Integrated Arts Academy. Regardless of which school the partnership occurred in, t wasn’t just about making art, though that part was powerful. It was about students discovering something in themselves they didn’t always know was there. Confidence. Voice. Choice. Belonging. I remember watching students who barely spoke in class light up during a residency. Students who struggled to stay present suddenly didn’t want the session to end. That’s what Inclusive Arts did. It met kids exactly where they were and invited them to be seen, to create, and to shine. It was also a gift for staff. The planning sessions, the embedded PD, the Universal Design for Learning practices, created opportunity for us to us reimagine what access and inclusion could actually look like in a classroom. And that still shows up in how we do things at Eagle Bay today . So much of what we believe in here and are building, student agency, restorative relationships, healing through creativity, was nourished through those residencies. Inclusive Arts Vermont didn’t just bring in teaching artists. They brought in partners, collaborators, people who truly cared about our kids and their stories. So if you’re reading this and wondering if Inclusive Arts Vermont made a difference, a resounding, YES! It really did. Thank you for believing in our students. And thank you for helping us build the kind of school where art, identity, and community are all part of the learning journey. Your community guidance and support will be greatly missed.
Bobby
When I started with IAV I barely made a handful of pieces. IAV accepting my piece show me that I could achieve anything I wanted despite what others have told me. This gave me the confidence to pursue firefighting. After years of denials from various departments due to my hearing loss I can finally say I’m a firefighter for Winooski. IAV gave me the confidence to not accept what is given to me. To not be afraid to take up space and stand up for myself.
David
When I was starting out as student Art Curator at UVM’s Davis Center, I had the opportunity to help install the 2024 CYCLES exhibition on campus. This hands-on installation experience, along with the chance to speak with the featured artists during this show’s opening reception, had a profound impact on the way I curate, experience, and create artwork. I will forever carry this experience with me in both my creative and professional endeavors. I’m especially grateful to the friendly and knowledgeable members of the IAV community who generously shared their insights on how to center accessibility and inclusivity in student gallery spaces.
Emma
I remember the first show I was part of, Engage, and the panel on art emerging in each of our lives because of the break from the “work rat race” illness/trauma imposes. The main emotion expressed was gratitude for lessons learned and artistic creativity unleashed. I met Heidi for the first time there and am grateful for our growing friendship over the years. I am grateful also for our regular zoom calls during covid lockdown. We had many deep conversations and shared our art process during a lonely time. Thanks to staff, interns, and all the artists involved with Inclusive Arts for many years of gracious support in getting my art out into the world and including me in a very special community. I will miss y’all.
Willow
The news that this amazing organization will soon just be a memory has felt like a profoundly devastating loss to me. Inclusive Arts Vermont has really helped the voices and creations of Vermont artists – who also happen to be disabled – to be more visible and celebrated.
Starting in 2012, Inclusive Arts Vermont (called VSA Vermont back then) has been a really meaningful part of my life as a disabled artist. My photograph “Dragonfly Trio” was juried into their Engage exhibit, and from there so many special connections and experiences began, as well as giving me the encouragement to share my art in more public spaces. Right away, I noticed the uniquely supportive atmosphere – everything from feeling part of a caring community to accessibility at art receptions (which for me, access to chairs stood out because too often art galleries don’t have any seating or too limited of seating).
During the pandemic, I appreciated that Inclusive Arts Vermont regularly hosted artist networking over Zoom, giving us time and a safe place to share our works in progress and our completed art projects, bounce ideas off one another, and just in general have time together as disabled Vermont artists. Several of those acquaintances led to friendships and connecting more through social media too, which I will continue to cherish.
It feels very meaningful to me to have participated in every IAV exhibit, especially to have had my acrylic painting “Phoenix Rising” in their last exhibit, CYCLES, as I graduated from the University of Vermont and the final host was UVM’s Center on Disability & Community Inclusion. In that collaboration with CDCI, I had the amazing opportunity for a nearly hour long interview talking about that piece and how chronic illness changed my life. (https://fb.watch/Aby_Cz2mT0/? ). A few months later, WCAX’s Kendall Claar came to my home to interview me about IAV’s impacts on my life and its sunset. I was nervous, but really wanted to do that interview, and knowing that the staff of IAV believed in me helped me to be brave enough. (https://www.wcax.com/2025/05/11/inclusive-arts-vermont-shutting-down-after-40-years/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwK4p3xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlPsf2ZXgBVNolTLNuvp6OSlb8sRRvM8I_DYRUa6n0WEzwYOO_58VkuwMv4k_aem_aNh6JIWz0z6JcAWxjGhmyg)
I feel like I have learned so much and gained a lot of confidence through IAV’s support, helping make special experiences in my art career possible. I’m very grateful for everything and I’m going to really miss Inclusive Arts Vermont.
Karen
I loved the drumming! I love playing the drums and music!
Meghan
I loved to explore different activities with Inclusive Arts Vermont. I will miss them. I enjoyed getting to work with Mike, he is like a father to me and made it easy to try new things. I liked taking photos, making jewelry, and having a dance party. My favorite photo I took in photography is of my cat.
Diva Marissa
I have many fond memories of years of working with inclusive arts vermont. My most memorable experiences were in the areas where we partnered professional development events and activities for arts and cultural organizations. A few examples included audio and verbal description training, a symposium called “The Art of Inclusion” hosted by the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury, and working together on the jury process for their first exhibit of artwork by artists with disabilities. A heartfelt thanks for all you have done to make VT a more inclusive place.
Michelle
Our Center On Disability And Community Inclusion at the honor of hosting the cycles art exhibition this year. Having the artist work in our space and accessible for all truly change the climate in our offices and students faculty and employees love seeing.it. AND our family participated in the weekend family program and my younger son remembers.making a cute and snuggly hat. “Thank you for bringing art for us to do!” AND AND our family got to do art with IAV during COVID. Our boys missed so much about school and being with their friends and your art projects were an amazing connection to the world they were missing. Thank you so much for years of advocacy, fun, and beauty!
Jesse