Henderson: Video contest shows kids with disabilities and their takes on life - thestar.com
Check out FilmPossible Video Contest - Bringing Visibility to Disability
FilmPossible Video Contest - Bringing Visibility to
Disability_ (http://www.filmpossible.ca/)
Online video contest highlights perspectives of children with
disabilities_
(http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/xeuYrxzLsXbejakIaibuvMalTGja?format=standard)
An online video contest is featuring original short films that showcase
the perspectives of children with disabilities. The filmpossible project is
aimed at "bringing visibility to disability." Online votes will determine
the winners of the contest, and entries can be submitted and viewed at
_www.filmpossible.ca_
(http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/xeuYrxzLsXbejahUaibuvMalQhcn)
. _The Toronto Star_
(http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/xeuYrxzLsXbejakIaibuvMalTGja?format=standard) (7/2
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Toys for Special Needs
Just wanted to put a resource out there that I recently came across. There are many websites that sell "Special Needs" toys and products, but there are very few that are able to categorize them for what your child needs most. I recently came across a post about Able Play, and they look fantastic: http://www.ableplay.org/
If you click on "search" you can narrow your search by age, type of disability, and much much more.
Enjoy!
If you click on "search" you can narrow your search by age, type of disability, and much much more.
Enjoy!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Institute on Disability Seeks Artists for its 2011 Calendar
Institute on Disability Seeks Artists for its 2011 Calendar
Are you an artist looking for an opportunity to get your work noticed? Do you know someone who is an artist and might be interested in such an opportunity? Every year since 2000, the Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire has produced a calendar that features 13 original works of art. These highly anticipated calendars are distributed each year to thousands of people around the world who are connected to the IOD's mission of strengthening communities and ensuring full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons. The IOD is currently inviting artists to submit artwork to be considered for its 2011 Calendar.
The theme for the 2011 calendar is reflective of the quote:
“Inclusion is a right, not a special privilege for a select few.” - Federal Court, Oberti vs Board of Education
If you would like to submit, here are some simple guidelines to follow:
All artwork must be 2-dimensional (i.e. drawings, paintings). Unfortunately, we are unable to accept photography and sculpture.
Artwork for submission may be created for the purpose of this calendar or may be selected from an existing portfolio of work.
Artwork should reflect the artist's interpretation of the quote above.
Artists are encouraged to submit artwork with vibrant colors (see links to past calendars below).
Artists are welcome to submit a maximum of three (3) works of art for consideration.
Submissions must include the artist's name, phone number, email address, and title(s) of artwork.
If chosen, the original work submitted will be requested and will need to be sent to the IOD. All originals will be returned to the artists.
Here are links if you would like to see a PDF copy of the 2009 and 2010 calendars.
Please do not send original artwork at this time. Digital copies (scanned or photographed artwork) for consideration should be sent as a JPG or PDF file to contact.iod@unh.edu with “2011 IOD Calendar Art” in the subject line. If you would like to submit a printed copy (not an original) of your artwork via U.S. postal mail, please mail it to:
INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY / UCED
Attn: Matthew Gianino
10 West Edge Drive, Suite 101
Durham, NH 03824
During the final selection process, the IOD may request the original artwork for further consideration in some cases. The 13 finalists will be asked to complete an Artwork Release Form. Please be sure you are able to comply with the terms of the release form prior to submitting. The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 30, 2010. All artists whose work is chosen for the 2011 Calendar will be contacted by August 27.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the IOD
Are you an artist looking for an opportunity to get your work noticed? Do you know someone who is an artist and might be interested in such an opportunity? Every year since 2000, the Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire has produced a calendar that features 13 original works of art. These highly anticipated calendars are distributed each year to thousands of people around the world who are connected to the IOD's mission of strengthening communities and ensuring full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons. The IOD is currently inviting artists to submit artwork to be considered for its 2011 Calendar.
The theme for the 2011 calendar is reflective of the quote:
“Inclusion is a right, not a special privilege for a select few.” - Federal Court, Oberti vs Board of Education
If you would like to submit, here are some simple guidelines to follow:
All artwork must be 2-dimensional (i.e. drawings, paintings). Unfortunately, we are unable to accept photography and sculpture.
Artwork for submission may be created for the purpose of this calendar or may be selected from an existing portfolio of work.
Artwork should reflect the artist's interpretation of the quote above.
Artists are encouraged to submit artwork with vibrant colors (see links to past calendars below).
Artists are welcome to submit a maximum of three (3) works of art for consideration.
Submissions must include the artist's name, phone number, email address, and title(s) of artwork.
If chosen, the original work submitted will be requested and will need to be sent to the IOD. All originals will be returned to the artists.
Here are links if you would like to see a PDF copy of the 2009 and 2010 calendars.
Please do not send original artwork at this time. Digital copies (scanned or photographed artwork) for consideration should be sent as a JPG or PDF file to contact.iod@unh.edu with “2011 IOD Calendar Art” in the subject line. If you would like to submit a printed copy (not an original) of your artwork via U.S. postal mail, please mail it to:
INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY / UCED
Attn: Matthew Gianino
10 West Edge Drive, Suite 101
Durham, NH 03824
During the final selection process, the IOD may request the original artwork for further consideration in some cases. The 13 finalists will be asked to complete an Artwork Release Form. Please be sure you are able to comply with the terms of the release form prior to submitting. The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 30, 2010. All artists whose work is chosen for the 2011 Calendar will be contacted by August 27.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the IOD
Friday, May 7, 2010
Autism Society of America: New Documentary about Art and Autism
Autism Society of America: New Documentary about Art and Autism
New Documentary about Art and Autism
"I'm an Artist"
I’m an Artist is a film about students with disabilities at special-needs schools who achieve confidence, positive reinforcement and hope through an art program. In this documentary, young adults with Down syndrome, autism and behavior issues collaborate with a dedicated teacher to create artwork for their first professional gallery exhibition. As the students draw, color and paint, we witness how these children, who often struggle in life every day, gain confidence and self-acceptance through artistic expression. The documentary also follows the children to events such as field day and graduation, providing a rare inside view of life at a special-needs school. At the heart of the film is Mary Jo, a woman who never stops teaching her students that there are no mistakes in art. With unwavering enthusiasm and support, she demonstrates that children with learning disabilities can achieve more growth than most people believe possible.
Learn more at http://www.imanartistmovie.com/.
Help spread the word about Yummy Coffee - www.yummycoffee.org!
FineArtViews - Dare to be Different
FineArtViews -
Your job as an artist is to NOT be whatever anyone else is. You should not be doing what everyone else is doing. That mindset should color your every action. I was reminded of this last summer as I visited a local art show held outside in the California sun.
As I looked at each booth in turn, I was struck by the overwhelming sameness of the artwork I saw. Sure the artwork was all different, relative to the craftsmanship applied to the subject matter, but except for a very few examples, I found myself looking for something that was strikingly different. It was hard to find. Since I was not showing at this event, I had my "customer hat" on.
Photographs and watercolors were plentiful. Prints were common, and there were landscapes galore. As this event was set in a beach town, there must have been at least 20 renderings of the pier; each a little different. Only one artist took the time to go underneath the pier and view the scene from a different perspective, and his picture of the light streaming
through the weathered boards up above was striking. That was different.
There was also an Asian couple who offered some extremely detailed laser-cut paper images of a variety of subject matter. This material was also radically different from what everyone else was offering. It caught people's attention.
It's so easy to be average.
What's not easy is to create significant differences is what you do and make that significance into a buyer-oriented benefit. You see, people will buy based upon benefits to them, not features. Features are secondary. Benefits are often "perceived" value. You just can't put a value on what people view as important to them. The artwork must talk to them in a peculiar way so that they see themselves as owning the art, showing it to their friends and relatives, enhancing their living rooms, whatever. I have produced art which was marginal at best, only to find potential buyers delighted to be offered them. I have produced very substantial works of art which were dismissed by almost everyone. In most cases, this art was not different enough to stand on its own in comparison to comparable works those customers may have seen elsewhere.
When it comes to similar pieces of art such as you usually see in group-type events, people often revert to making buying decisions based upon size, color or price. So, there you have it. Your creative work has just been reduced to a commodity. Do you have this in more of a reddish color? Gee, I wish that piece of art were bigger, it would look so good in my entryway and is this best (price) you can do?
Most art does not elicit an emotional response in buyers. When your art can do this, your sale is pretty much of a done deal. You can tell when you nail it because a potential buyer will either begin asking questions about the artwork or buy it outright on the spot. They will smile and ask for a verbal OK from their significant other. They will lick their lips and nod often. If you're seeing this type of response from a potential buyer, you've virtually reeled them in. It takes only a little bit more coaxing to push them into a sale. Much as I love the spontaneous buyer, I'd much rather talk about the artwork and even dicker with the buyer. It is through talk that they make their minds up.
Hey, these are tough times economically, and while I don't always recommend you alter the price of your craft, you shouldn't rule it out entirely if you have a motivated buyer. 100% of nothing is not a very satisfying result of creative endeavors.
What can you do to create a difference in what you do? Study the competition and find out what is selling (or at least being offered) and paint to suit the market. For instance, if I were going to sell artwork at a Strawberry Festival, I would not hesitate to create some pictures and /or prints of something featuring strawberries. Perhaps a landscape showing colorfully dressed strawberry pickers in the early morning mist. Perhaps a large beautifully rendered watercolor of a ripe dew-speckled berry. Maybe a close-up photograph of a bowl of strawberries on a sun dappled porch. Get the idea? It may not be your particular specialty, but you could certainly use your particular artistic style and apply it to what people are seeking. It is in this way you create the emotional difference that attracts people's interest.
So what if it's not your favorite topic! It's not always about you the artist. It's often as much about the buyer and their interests and emotions.
So, what can you do to be different? Study your competition and see if there is something different that people have not seen before. Be different in how you display your art at a show. Your job is to not be like everyone else. You're an artist. Be an artist and release the creative spark in yourself that people are seeking.
Ask your visitors questions and use what they tell you to provide it next show. What are they not finding? Maybe you can provide it. Entertain their interests so they get to know you and it will make it easier to buy from you. Get their email addresses by offering something to them (such as a raffle for a piece of art) and you'll have the opportunity to re-introduce yourself and your offerings at a later date. That's different and there is no competition for their attention.
Just because the economy is poor does not mean people have stopped buying art. Dare to be different, address the needs and wants of your buying public and you'll make art sales a reality you can take to the bank.
Gregory Peters
----------------------------------------------
This article appears courtesy of FineArtViews by Canvoo,
a free email newsletter about art, marketing, inspiration and fine living for artists,
collectors and galleries (and anyone else who loves art).
This article originally appeared at:
http://fineartviews.com/blog/19258/dare-to-be-different
For a complimentary subscription, visit: http://www.fineartviews.com
Dare to be Different
by Gregory PetersThis post is by guest author, Gregory Peters. This article has been edited and published with the author's permission. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here.
Your job as an artist is to NOT be whatever anyone else is. You should not be doing what everyone else is doing. That mindset should color your every action. I was reminded of this last summer as I visited a local art show held outside in the California sun.
As I looked at each booth in turn, I was struck by the overwhelming sameness of the artwork I saw. Sure the artwork was all different, relative to the craftsmanship applied to the subject matter, but except for a very few examples, I found myself looking for something that was strikingly different. It was hard to find. Since I was not showing at this event, I had my "customer hat" on.
Photographs and watercolors were plentiful. Prints were common, and there were landscapes galore. As this event was set in a beach town, there must have been at least 20 renderings of the pier; each a little different. Only one artist took the time to go underneath the pier and view the scene from a different perspective, and his picture of the light streaming
through the weathered boards up above was striking. That was different.
There was also an Asian couple who offered some extremely detailed laser-cut paper images of a variety of subject matter. This material was also radically different from what everyone else was offering. It caught people's attention.
It's so easy to be average.
What's not easy is to create significant differences is what you do and make that significance into a buyer-oriented benefit. You see, people will buy based upon benefits to them, not features. Features are secondary. Benefits are often "perceived" value. You just can't put a value on what people view as important to them. The artwork must talk to them in a peculiar way so that they see themselves as owning the art, showing it to their friends and relatives, enhancing their living rooms, whatever. I have produced art which was marginal at best, only to find potential buyers delighted to be offered them. I have produced very substantial works of art which were dismissed by almost everyone. In most cases, this art was not different enough to stand on its own in comparison to comparable works those customers may have seen elsewhere.
When it comes to similar pieces of art such as you usually see in group-type events, people often revert to making buying decisions based upon size, color or price. So, there you have it. Your creative work has just been reduced to a commodity. Do you have this in more of a reddish color? Gee, I wish that piece of art were bigger, it would look so good in my entryway and is this best (price) you can do?
Most art does not elicit an emotional response in buyers. When your art can do this, your sale is pretty much of a done deal. You can tell when you nail it because a potential buyer will either begin asking questions about the artwork or buy it outright on the spot. They will smile and ask for a verbal OK from their significant other. They will lick their lips and nod often. If you're seeing this type of response from a potential buyer, you've virtually reeled them in. It takes only a little bit more coaxing to push them into a sale. Much as I love the spontaneous buyer, I'd much rather talk about the artwork and even dicker with the buyer. It is through talk that they make their minds up.
Hey, these are tough times economically, and while I don't always recommend you alter the price of your craft, you shouldn't rule it out entirely if you have a motivated buyer. 100% of nothing is not a very satisfying result of creative endeavors.
What can you do to create a difference in what you do? Study the competition and find out what is selling (or at least being offered) and paint to suit the market. For instance, if I were going to sell artwork at a Strawberry Festival, I would not hesitate to create some pictures and /or prints of something featuring strawberries. Perhaps a landscape showing colorfully dressed strawberry pickers in the early morning mist. Perhaps a large beautifully rendered watercolor of a ripe dew-speckled berry. Maybe a close-up photograph of a bowl of strawberries on a sun dappled porch. Get the idea? It may not be your particular specialty, but you could certainly use your particular artistic style and apply it to what people are seeking. It is in this way you create the emotional difference that attracts people's interest.
So what if it's not your favorite topic! It's not always about you the artist. It's often as much about the buyer and their interests and emotions.
So, what can you do to be different? Study your competition and see if there is something different that people have not seen before. Be different in how you display your art at a show. Your job is to not be like everyone else. You're an artist. Be an artist and release the creative spark in yourself that people are seeking.
Ask your visitors questions and use what they tell you to provide it next show. What are they not finding? Maybe you can provide it. Entertain their interests so they get to know you and it will make it easier to buy from you. Get their email addresses by offering something to them (such as a raffle for a piece of art) and you'll have the opportunity to re-introduce yourself and your offerings at a later date. That's different and there is no competition for their attention.
Just because the economy is poor does not mean people have stopped buying art. Dare to be different, address the needs and wants of your buying public and you'll make art sales a reality you can take to the bank.
Gregory Peters
----------------------------------------------
This article appears courtesy of FineArtViews by Canvoo,
a free email newsletter about art, marketing, inspiration and fine living for artists,
collectors and galleries (and anyone else who loves art).
This article originally appeared at:
http://fineartviews.com/blog/19258/dare-to-be-different
For a complimentary subscription, visit: http://www.fineartviews.com
Friday, April 23, 2010
Autism Society of America: Autism Society Art Exhibit
Autism Society of America: Autism Society Art Exhibit
is hosting an online exhibit of artwork by those with Autism. It is a lovely selection of art from all ages and you can even upload a piece of art for your child as well. Thanks to the Autism Society for creating a portal of lovely art pieces to look through!
is hosting an online exhibit of artwork by those with Autism. It is a lovely selection of art from all ages and you can even upload a piece of art for your child as well. Thanks to the Autism Society for creating a portal of lovely art pieces to look through!
How Autistic Artists See the World | Mental Health | DISCOVER Magazine
How Autistic Artists See the World | Mental Health | DISCOVER Magazine
Here is an amazing article in Discover Magazine about how an artist with Autism sees their world. Share in the artistic vision of artists with Autism and how they translate their art. Artist Jessica Park reports that she uses 7 shades of black, 9 shades of green, 5 shades of violet, among other colors. "The shades are applied according to a diagram that she holds in her mind from the beginning". Truly amazing.
Here is an amazing article in Discover Magazine about how an artist with Autism sees their world. Share in the artistic vision of artists with Autism and how they translate their art. Artist Jessica Park reports that she uses 7 shades of black, 9 shades of green, 5 shades of violet, among other colors. "The shades are applied according to a diagram that she holds in her mind from the beginning". Truly amazing.
Tell me A Story
I wanted to share a cute deck of cards that I find visually appealing as well as clever in terms of starting a story and randomly moving forward to expand in various sorts of directions. Its an imaginative activity that can inspire all sorts of stories. Sparking the imagination. Visit eeboo.com or find out if your local toy store has the various eeboo products.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Asperger's on Arthur!
Apparently there will be a character on PBS's Arthur with Asperger's Syndrome.
Here's one character explaining it to another
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0TyHLWEhII
Here's one character explaining it to another
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0TyHLWEhII
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