VSA Texas announces the Inaugural Artist of the Year Awards, 2018

Please join VSA Sunday afternoon, September 16, 2018 to celebrate the VSA Texas Artist of the Year Awards. Location is at Sterling Events Center, 6134 US 290 E. Frontage Road, Austin, Texas 78752 from 2:00PM – 4:00PM. Light refreshments will be served. Music by Wayne Napier. Master of Ceremonies, Ron Lucey, executive director of the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.

VSA is excited to announce their Haven Allen Artist of the Year Award in memory of past board member, Forrest Haven Street-Allen. The award is given to an artist with a disability who, through a one-time creative act or a substantial record achievement, embodies the vision of VSA Texas. This award is being presented to San Antonio artist Joan Fabian. As an accomplished abstract artist, Joan has exhibited her work around the world including Togo, Africa; Delft, Holland; and Rotterdam, The Netherlands. She was a CIES Fulbright Scholar in Pakistan and has received numerous awards and commendations from Texas and U.S. museums and foundations.  VSA congratulates Joan Fabian, the 2018 Haven Allen Artist of the Year award winner.  www.joanfabian.com.

The SPARK Award is given to an artist with a disability who embodies the spirit and purpose of VSA Texas. Austin artist Jordana Gerlach challenges perceptions of how people contribute through her artistic spirit on display at her exhibitions and conference presentations. At age 3, Jordana received a traumatic brain injury that required her to learn how to talk and walk again. Now, a talented fused glass artist, Jordana blends brightly colored glass into stunning jewelry and decorative glassware. Her dedication to life-long learning through her art and her willingness to speak to others about her disability experience, are the reasons Jordana Gerlach is the 2018 VSA Texas SPARK award winner. www.mygrandglass.com

The Director’s Commendation is given to an artist with a disability who, through advocacy and art, represents the inclusive world that VSA Texas works to create every day. Jackson Sutton is a young man with Autism who spends every day teaching people through Jacksons EyeTV, his inner view of the world around him. An artist, linguist and philosopher, Jackson has lovingly touched many hearts in his young life and, for this reason, he is awarded the 2018 VSA Texas Director’s Commendation.  www.jacksoneyetv.com

Plenty of accessible parking available at Sterling Events Center.  Capitol Metro bus 339 about 3/10 of mile to venue.  Have to use frontage road.

 To RSVP https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vsa-texas-artist-of-the-year-awards-celebration-tickets-48036622832 or contact Lynn at 512-454-9912 or lynn@vsatx.org.

VSA Texas is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that operates at the intersection of arts, education and disability. VSA believes that arts experiences enhance the skills, confidence and quality of life for all people, especially for people with disabilities. VSA supports this by offering programs that enable educational achievement and career success, events that feature the work of diverse artists, and specialized arts training for artists, educators and service providers.

Recognizing that every person has a voice that deserves to be heard, VSA Texas partners with supporters, volunteers, community organizations and educators across Texas to promote and facilitate people with and without disabilities working together to create inclusive and strong communities.

The Haven Allen Artist of the Year Award is offered in memory of Haven who was an insightful and caring person, fiercely committed to helping others. She was a Board Member of VSA Texas as well as the Austin Dispute Resolution Center, a volunteer mediator for the Resolution Center, and the Director of Human Resources for St. Edward’s University in Austin until her retirement in 2012. The Haven Allen Artist of the Year Award recognizes her dedication, vision and respect for all, and honors her commitment to creating greater access to, and support for, artists with disabilities in Texas.

Follow VSA Texas at https://www.facebook.com/VSATexas, https://twitter.com/VSATexas and https://instagram.com/VSATexas.