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VSA arts 
of New Mexico
4904 4th N.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone 505-345-2872
Fax: 505-345-2896
NM Relay Network:
1-800-659-8331
[email protected]

Awards | Press Releases

Articles on Activities

OPEN DOORS
Very Special Arts New Mexico nurtures creativity of disabled artists
BY Tracy Dingmann
Journal Staff Writer
Albuquerque Journal
Sunday October, 24 1999

A prestigious exhibition of work by disabled artists will make its debut Friday at the Very Special Arts New Mexico "Opening Doors" Awards Banquet from 6-10 p.m. at the Albuquerque Marriott, 2101 Louisiana NE.

The exhibition, called "The Journey to Here," is based on a book of black and white photographs which chronicle the stories of 25 artists of varying disabilities from all over the country. Three of the 25 artists in the book - Helene Valdez, Marc Frye and Aurelia Arnold - are from New Mexico. The book was published by the international organization VSA arts (formerly Very Special Arts) which was founded in 1974 by presidential sister Jean Kennedy Smith to promote educational opportunities for people with disabilities.

"This will be the first place the exhibit has come since its debut at the VSA international festival in Los Angeles in June," said Diane Teare, development director for Very Special Arts New Mexico. "We asked for it right away."

After its unveiling at the banquet, the exhibition will hang through Nov. 19 at the South Broadway Cultural Center library.

Friday's banquet will be the nexus for several other events involving Very Special Arts New Mexico, including the honoring of a young Las Cruces playwright recently recognized at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in. Washington, D.C.

Danielle Mullen, 17, was honored Oct. 18 during the VSA arts 1999 Playwright Discovery Evening. Her one-act play, "Under Achievement," tells the story of Roscoe, a high school freshman struggling with dyslexia. Frustrated by his learning disability, he soon gains confidence from older students who help him cope with his dyslexia.

Mullen was one of only two people to win this year's Playwright Discovery Award and have her play professionally performed at the Kennedy Center. Read More

The Playwright Discovery Award was created in 1984 by VSA arts to develop the literacy skills of young people with disabilities.

Mullen will be one of five people honored Friday with an "Opening Doors" award from VSA for their work with the agency. The others are Michael Kamins, executive producer for arts and culture at KNME-TV; Sherman McCorkle., president and CEO of Technology Ventures Corp.; sculptor Michael Naranjo; and author Norm Zollinger.

Very Special Arts New Mexico will also honor a host of other New Mexicans for their work with the agency in the "Spotlight Awards."

Other events that will take place at the banquet include a performance by the VSA's Buen Viaje Dancers, an art auction, and an exhibition of work from the Global Depot Art Market. The depot is located at the Enabled Arts Center, a store and galley at 2015-2017 Yale SE, where disabled artists make art objects for sale, many of which are made from recycled materials.