 My Art My Way VSA Florida
June, 2012
Art - the Avenue to Alter Lives, Attitudes and Perceptions
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 A Note from Marian
Now that the school year is over we are proud to announce that VSA Florida provided 123 different artist in residence programs in 62 Florida counties. Residencies are offered in visual, music, dance and performance as well as in an interactive on line art program. I am proud to share with you some of the comments about this work. Your donation today can help keep thesee programs going. Each residency is $400.00.
The online art experience was a success for all levels of disabilities, from high functioning LD to autism of varying degrees and to very low functioning hand over hand students. All responded in some way to the program and all were able to generate artwork commensurate with their abilities. The lower functioning students responded to colors and patterns and the higher level students were able to create layered works with both non-representational and representational images." - teaching artist
"One student had some major breakthroughs in the class. B. moved very little if at all during the initial sessions of my residency. He always stood with his arms crossed and head down, very obviously engaged, but not to physically communicate it. I helped B. over to the big drum one time and helped him move his arms to play it and saw a big smile come across his face. Each time I would bring B up to the drum, he would show more signs of trying to play it by himself, eventually playing the drum lightly, but with no help whatsoever. It was incredible." - teaching artist.
"I paired the typical children with those who had visual impairment. However, I noticed that on many occasions, the children with visual impairment were better at listening and following the rhythm of the music as well as memorizing the sequence of the dance. So, it made me question, "Who is really the helper!" It was a great challenge to my preconceived ideas about disability." - teaching artist
"Each student felt special and unique after the VSA show. They all felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when the audience applauded for them. This program helped boost their self-esteem and confidence. I was surprised how the majority of the class was able to follow rhythms." - classroom teacher
Please donate now.
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Professional Development
Over the summer months, VSAFL will be providing professional development for teaching artists, classroom teachers, paraprofessionals and all others interested in providing quality arts experiences for children and adults with and without disabilities. These sessions will include: classroom management, inclusion strategies, disability awareness, a curriculum mapping/state standards and Start with the Arts - pre literacy and arts based program for early childhood learners.
For "face-to-face" professional development workshops in your area, please contact Marilyn Farber 813-974-0712 or email mfarber@usf.edu.
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VSA Florida Participates in Family Café
Each year the Family Café statewide conference brings together individuals with disabilities and their families with state agencies, non-profit organizations and other service providers, so families can network with each other, learn what services are available to them, and discover how to access those services. VSA Florida is proud to be part of this extensive outreach and participated in a multiple of ways. Friday, June 15, 2012, Pat York, VSAFL Region 2 Coordinator lead a panel discussion entitled, From a Parents Perspective-My Art My Way-Why the Arts Matter. Thanks to our panelists, Deborah Knispel, and Rosemary Lumm. Each gave their candid, informative and insightful perspectives into the value of the arts and the impact VSA Florida makes on students with and without disabilities throughout Florida every day.
VSAFL Teaching Artist, Deborah Knispel led a drop-in, all day art-making workshop designed for parents and children working together side by side on Saturday, June 16, 2011.
In our continual quest to serve our communities with meaningful art experiences for students, a short five question survey was distributed in every Family Cafe welcome bag. If you weren't able to attend the conference or take time to fill it out while there, please take a moment to do so now. VSA Florida survey
The winners of the $50 gas cards are:
Giovana Perazzo
Sue McVeigh
Megan Adkison
Deanna Marshall
Congratulations to all! |
Florida Young Soloists Program
 
VSA Florida 2011-2012 Young Soloist State Finalists
Lyudmilla Fuentes from Polk County and Victor Merriam from Pinellas County
Since 1984, the VSA International Young Soloists Program has been seeking to identify talented musicians who have a disability. The VSA International Young Soloists Award is given annually to four outstanding musicians, two from the United States and two from the international arena, providing an opportunity for these emerging musical artists to each earn a $5,000 award and a performance in Washington, D.C.
The talent search has begun as VSA Florida proudly announces our 6th annual statewide program . Finalists selected by a panel of judges will be showcased at the Florida Orchestra "Concert in the Park" on October 20, 2012 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg. Additionally, these finalists will represent Florida by having their musical entries sent to Washington, DC to compete in the VSA International Young Soloist Program.
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My Art My Way Summer Community Art Classes
VSA Florida offers after-school or Saturday arts programs as well as school day residency programs for students with and without disabilities at various locations around the state. We currently have classes in Flagler, Hillsborough, Marion and Pinellas counties and registration is open to newcomers of all abilities. If you are interested in opening classes in your community, please contact your specific VSAFL Regional Coordinator, http://www.vsafl.org/regional .
Teaching artist, Linda Rodriguez demonstrates her musical abilities for students
Flagler County ESE Department
1769 East Moody Blvd, Bldg. 2
Bunnell, FL 32110
Contact: Sue McVeigh, 386-586-2395
Dates: June 19 and June 26, 2012 1-3 PM
The Discovery Science Center
701 NE Sanchez Ave.
Ocala, FL 3440
Contact: Melissa Townsend, 352-401-3900
mtownsend@ocalafl.org
Dates: September 11-December 4, 2012
USF Psychiatry Building
3515 E. Fletcher Ave
Tampa, FL 33613
Contact: Wendy Finklea, 813-974-0715
wfinklea@usf.edu
Dates: Tuesdays 5-6 PM
Ages 13 and up
Call for younger group registration
Azalea Recreation Center
1600 72nd St. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Contact: Cory Kapes, 727-893-7899
Cory.kapes@stpete.org
Dates: Mondays 4-5 PM |
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VSA Florida Modern Skills for Success - Transition Program Uniting Online Technology and Creative Expression
 | | Region 4, Hillsborough High School |
VSA Florida Modern Skill program incorporates an online art making program with tools that encourage creativity while learning how to digitally manipulate artwork and develop basic graphic design skills. The online program that we use to facilitate our transition program can be found at www.vsafl.artthread.org. In the 2012-2013 school year, VSA Florida will provide 20 eight-week artist in residency programs to students in middle and high school transition program across Florida. Our next introduction webinar will be on July 17th. Web Access and time will be announced soon. If you are interested in becoming a teaching artist to facilitate this program, or a classroom teacher or parent that would like to learn more about the Modern Skills curriculum that can be brought to your classroom, please contact wfinklea@usf.edu or mfarber@usf.edu and join us on our next webinar. |
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Monthly Art Activity to enjoy with your child!
Drama: Puppet Families
Project: Creating puppets and a puppet show
How to Get Started: Discuss with your child:
ˇ Thoughts and feelings about family members
ˇ Recognize characteristics about self
ˇ Recognize characteristics about family members
ˇ What does each member look like?
ˇ What are the distinguishing features of the family members?
Materials: small paper bags,( or socks) construction paper, markers, glue, scissors, scraps of yarn, fabrics, trims, etc.
Arts Experience: To create puppets of themselves and family members and use in a story
Holding a paper bag upside down, create a family members' face on  the bottom of the bag and the body on the main part of the bag.
Use construction paper and other materials to add their distinguishing features.
Add details i.e. hair, a hat, buttons, glasses, etc.
Talking About their Puppets:
What did you like best about creating puppets of family members and a puppet show?
July's art activity will be "National Recreation and Parks" month. |
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VSA Florida
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida 33620
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