OtL & Art Enables @ Positive Vibe Cafe

Curator’s Statement
Art Enables Exhibition | June 16 – August 18, 2007

There is no question that artists with disabilities experience a world quite different from the world that is experienced by those without disabilities. As a result, their artistic strength is generously unfiltered and their art is infused with a directness and enthusiasm that often leaves the viewer filled with a sort of emotional awe.

The artists who work with Art Enables are no different. Many of these artists are, for whatever reason, isolated from mainstream ideas of what “art should look like”. At the Art Enables studio they find an environment where they are free to not only move and listen to their inner muses but also free to explore new techniques and work with quality materials while seeing their work marketed to a broad public that earns them money.

Outside the Lines is proud to be able to exhibit the art of the artists of Art Enables. The work exhibited here shows not only a wide spectrum of color but also a broad spectrum of emotion, grit and whimsy. Each piece is unique, intriguing and idiosyncratic all at once. Every artist featured here gives us an often humorous and unfiltered look at their inner worlds.

If every picture tells a story, it is my hope that you will enjoy the stories told here as much as we do.

See the exhibition here.

News and Stuff

Hi Everyone-
First, Thanks for your patience and understanding. I really appreciate it. I’ve been getting e-mails and phone calls and here’s the latest:

THE GROUP SHOW
Specifics

The group show will open at Positive Vibe Café August 18 and hang through October 13. Each artist can submit one work to the group show. The piece must be able to hang on the wall, weigh not more than 25 lbs and be no more than 36’ inches high and 40’ inches wide. All work on paper must be framed under acrylic or glass. If work is on stretched canvas, the sides must be finished if not framed. If you have a solo or shared show, you can participate in the group show. Just let me know which piece you want to be included in the group show.

VSAVA usually has an opportunity to show at the SunTrust Bank Art Gallery in their corporate headquarters here in Richmond every October for Disability Awareness Month. However this year, I’m told the gallery is not available. We have been in touch and are working on alternate space within SunTrust. As soon as I know something, I’ll let you know.

Deadline
If you are participating in the group show, work should be received not later than July 31st.

Shipping Requirements
Please do not use loose Styrofoam peanuts (popcorn) to pack your work in. I cannot stress this enough. Use bubble wrap, newspaper, or those plastic pouches filled with air. If must use Styrofoam peanuts (popcorn) please, please, please put it in zipper food storage bags (like Ziploc bags) to make pouches to pack around your work.

Shipping Address

To reduce handling work and make it easier to transport the show, please send your pieces to the VSAVA office unless you require a signature on delivery. If you require a delivery confirmation signature, you’ll need to send it to my studio address, as I am not in the office every day. COntact me via e-mail for my studio address or check your e-mail.

VSAVA Address

Krishanna Spencer
VSAVA/Outside the Lines
Zero E 4th Street
Studio 50
Richmond, VA 23224

SHIPPING TIPS
The least expensive, safest and easiest shipping method I have discovered is the US Postal Service Priority service. You can calculate and pay for postage, print shipping labels and schedule pick ups all on online. Aside from the website being a bit wonky, I’ve had good success using USPS to ship my own artwork. The URL is www.USPS.com .

SOLO & SHARED SHOWS
If you let me know you were interested in solo or shared shows, I have probably already gotten in touch with you. If you one of the few with whom I haven’t touched base give me a few more days and I’ll be sending you your dates. The schedule is done I just need another day or two to get in touch with you. Thanks!

DISCUSSION GROUP
I’ve started a discussion group for us at Google Groups called Outside the Lines. I sent out an invitation to everyone last week but I’m not sure everyone received it. It’s my hope we can use this group to connect and discuss art and art and disability. I will also use the group to communicate news and other tidbits to you all.

THE BLOG & VIRTUAL GALLERY
I have also established this blog for us. I’ll continue to post information about the Outside the Lines program, other exhibition information, arts opportunities and news and tidbits there as well.

The virtual gallery is located here. At the moment photos of Chris Wharam’s show at Positive Vibe is posted and I hope to be able to start on the online show in the next week or two.

Take care!
Thanks again!

New Positive Vibe Exhibition

The latest Positive Vibe exhibition has been posted in the gallery. Chris Wharam kicks off our 2007 Exhibition with recent works. Chris’s work is abstract and wonderfully imaginative. You’ll also be able to see what the Positive Vibe looks like too!

I am also diligently working on getting our blog together and will be ready to offer slots in the calendar in the next week.

I apologize for the delay in getting this info out to you. I was waylaid by an unexpected trip to CA to help my sister deal with my mother’s health issues. I’m back now though and getting back into the swing of things.