Award-winning program, now in its FOURTH year, teaches art as a tool for communicative disorders
The Lexington Art League, in partnership with Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital and VSA Arts of Kentucky, announced today that LAL will present Side by Side, an award winning visual arts program in its fourth year that partners young artists with special needs with professional artists in a creative learning environment that spans several artistic mediums.
“Art has proven to be an effective tool for children with communication issues,” said Trish Hatler, development coordinator at Cardinal Hill. “Through our partnership with LAL and VSA arts of Kentucky, we are able to help children use visual art to express themselves in new and meaningful ways.”
Led by VSA arts of Kentucky Roster Artist Luella Pavey, Side by Side begins on February 4, and meets weekly for 6 weeks. Pavey will lead the children through different visual art exercises, giving them tools for expression through various media. After 6 weeks, each of the 12 participating children will be paired with a professional artist to work, side by side, on a piece of art reflective of the adult artist’s medium and inspired by the child. A team of Cardinal Hill’s speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists will attend art sessions and collaborations to provide assistance and learn from the interaction between artist and child.
“Having the support of such a robust and skillful team of professionals allows the children to safely engage with the power of the visual arts as a communicative tool,” said Pavey, who is in her second year as instructor.
Participating collaborative artists, including Melody Bock-Freeman, Jill Plaisted, Charlie Campbell and Stephen Moore among others, have been asked to create a piece of their own for the culminating exhibition. These works, alongside an original piece created by each child during the six-week instructional period, as well as the collaborative pieces, will be presented in an exhibition in late spring.
Side by Side is one of many community engagement programs produced by LAL and was awarded both national and regional awards of excellence in the areas of healthcare, community, and education in 2008. Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center received the “Consumer First” MediStar Award, VSA arts of Kentucky was honored with the Award of Excellence in Educational Programming, and LAL, Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital and VSA arts of Kentucky received an award for “Outstanding Community Partner” for the program.
“Side by Side is one of VSA arts of Kentucky's signature programs with cities throughout the state,” said Mary Claire O’Neal, VSA arts of Kentucky program director. “Lexington is one of my favorites because of the unique partnership we have with the Lexington Art League and Cardinal Hill."
About the Lexington Art League
The Lexington Art League is Lexington's oldest and largest visual arts organization. LAL envisions visual art as the lens through which central Kentucky will distinguish itself as a progressive, inclusive and vibrant region. LAL presents original and creative programs, with a reputation for thought-provoking content, that illuminate the role of visual art in contemporary life. Please visit www.lexingtonartleague.org for more information.
About Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital
A leader in providing physical rehabilitation services, Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital is dedicated exclusively to rehabilitation, specializing in the treatment of spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, pulmonary, multiple sclerosis, hip and knee replacements, and other disabling conditions for people of all ages. Cardinal Hill is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and treats over 9,000 patients each year. Visit www.cardinalhill.org for more information.
About VSA arts of Kentucky
VSA arts of Kentucky provides arts education and inclusion programs for children and adults with disabilities throughout the state and offers an under-served population equal opportunity and full access to explore the arts. Through involvement with trained professionals and volunteers, people with disabilities learn creative and social skills that open doors to new opportunities in the arts. For more information, visit www.vsarts.org.
About the Instructor
Luella Pavey received her BA at Greenville College and taught middle school art in Hong Kong. She was Kaleidoscope's art coordinator at WKU, a community-based youth and arts program. In addition to being a painter herself, Luella uses art to empower people, promote social justice and celebrate diversity. Her art ventures around Lexington include art for the IMAAG, a Lexington EcoArt project, art in afterschool programs, art with refugees, the Witness project and the Build-A-Bed project to name a few. To learn more, visit www.luellasart.com.
Lexington Art League
859-254-7024 | www.lexingtonartleague.org
859-254-7024 | www.lexingtonartleague.org
A New Way of Seeing... where visual art is the lens through which central
Kentucky distinguishes itself as a progressive, inclusive and vibrant region
*More information may be found in last year's article I wrote about Side by Side in the ACE Weekly April 16, 2009 issue, you can go here: and click on Archives and find it: http://www.aceweekly.com/
peace,
Kimmy
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