CenterPoint: The Newsletter of The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies

Center Sponsors Exhibit Venue for VSA arts of Maine

Seeking to enhance community awareness of societal perceptions of individuals with disabilities, the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies partnered with VSA arts of Maine in spring 2005 to bring A Matter of Perception: Fifth Juried Exhibition by Artists with Disabilities (MOP) to The University of Maine.

“An inclusive community is one that allows for the unique difference each of us contributes,” said Margo Dittmer, exhibit curator. “The point of the exhibit [is] to suggest that each of us is unique and has a unique voice or point of view and we can...appreciate this...as something that makes our lives more rich.”

The Center supports the biennial MOP exhibit as a means of providing a community-based opportunity for artists with disabilities to gain artistic exposure and exhibition experience. Through participation in the MOP exhibition, disabled artists have an opportunity to work on portfolio development and learn about the juried exhibit process; allowing them to be more competitive when answering calls for art from the greater artistic community.

“Working with [the Center] presents a wonderful opportunity for VSA arts of Maine to join forces with allies who believe, as we do, that individuals have the right and should have the opportunity for full inclusion in a rich and rewarding life as a contributing citizen,” said Dittmer.

As an agent of social change, the Center shares the vision of VSA arts of Maine to encourage the arts community to include people with disabilities and open opportunities to cultivate lifelong skills that enable individuals with disabilities to contribute to the cultural and economic capacities of their lives and communities. The University of Maine was one of several venues in the state for the touring exhibition. Additional locations include the Maine State House, Augusta, June 2-July 15 and Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, October 6-November 28.

CENTERPOINT: The Newsletter of The University of Maine
Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies,
Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Education, Research, and Service


In This Issue Spring 2005 • Volume 1 • Issue 1 Early Learning Opportunities Support Quality and Access Director’s Corner Daring to Dream Awards New EC Resource In memoriam: Marcia Lovell LEARNS: Work Keeps Team Hopping IDS Curriculum Changes Dissemination Team Leads Web Accessibility Collaboration Brings Speaker to Maine Center Sponsors Exhibit Venue for VSA arts Center Hosts Visiting Fulbright Scholar UMaine Students Lead EC Conference 10 Students Graduate TOP Program Healthy & Ready to Work: Engaging Youth in Their Future Standards for All Model: Personalizing Elementary Education Selected Presentations & Publications CenterPoint Home	Center Home \| UMaine Home \| CenterPoint Home Center Sponsors Exhibit Venue for VSA arts of Maine Seeking to enhance community awareness of societal perceptions of individuals with disabilities, the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies partnered with VSA arts of Maine in spring 2005 to bring A Matter of Perception: Fifth Juried Exhibition by Artists with Disabilities (MOP) to The University of Maine. “An inclusive community is one that allows for the unique difference each of us contributes,” said Margo Dittmer, exhibit curator. “The point of the exhibit [is] to suggest that each of us is unique and has a unique voice or point of view and we can...appreciate this...as something that makes our lives more rich.” The Center supports the biennial MOP exhibit as a means of providing a community-based opportunity for artists with disabilities to gain artistic exposure and exhibition experience. Through participation in the MOP exhibition, disabled artists have an opportunity to work on portfolio development and learn about the juried exhibit process; allowing them to be more competitive when answering calls for art from the greater artistic community. “Working with [the Center] presents a wonderful opportunity for VSA arts of Maine to join forces with allies who believe, as we do, that individuals have the right and should have the opportunity for full inclusion in a rich and rewarding life as a contributing citizen,” said Dittmer. As an agent of social change, the Center shares the vision of VSA arts of Maine to encourage the arts community to include people with disabilities and open opportunities to cultivate lifelong skills that enable individuals with disabilities to contribute to the cultural and economic capacities of their lives and communities. The University of Maine was one of several venues in the state for the touring exhibition. Additional locations include the Maine State House, Augusta, June 2-July 15 and Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, October 6-November 28.

CENTERPOINT: The Newsletter of The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service

In This Issue

Center Sponsors Exhibit Venue for VSA arts of Maine