| Montgomery—In a repeat
performance of last year’s Voice and Vision exhibition at
the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Alabama artists with
disabilities, their family members, professional service
providers, the news media and the general public gathered
for an opening and reception of Voice and Vision 2001
on September 23, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. "This year’s art
exhibition featured works by members of VSA Alabama, the
Visionary Guild for Mentally Ill Artists and others with
disabilities from around the state.
Hundreds of guests viewed the artworks, which are
exhibited along the ARTWORKS corridor; enjoyed a beautiful
and tasty array of refreshments provided by NAMI Montgomery;
and were entertained by the MARC Martial Arts Group of
Mobile and the Smith Singers from Prattville.
Another incredible feature of this year’s art show was
the opportunity to experience firsthand the craftsmanship of
Tuscaloosa resident, Mr. Frank Calloway. Mr. Calloway
captures the depth and breadth of his 105 years on butcher
block paper or sketch pad using crayons, pens and colored
markers. Many of his artworks will be included on the
upcoming 2001 edition of the State Employees’ Telephone
Directory, which features the Alabama Department of Mental
Health and Mental Retardation.
"This is the second year the Montgomery Museum of
Fine Arts has graciously hosted an art exhibition featuring
the work of persons with disabilities. Last year’s event
was so successful that we were invited back. We are really
pleased to showcase the many talents of Alabama citizens
with disabilities. This is one way in which my department
and its partners, including the Montgomery Museum of Fine
Arts, can help the public understand the importance of
emphasizing abilities above disabilities. There is so much
to be gained by opening our minds and our hearts to people
with mental illness, mental retardation and other
disabilities," said DMH/MR Commissioner Kathy Sawyer.
The Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities provided
financial support for the exhibition and Mary Wood, District
I Coordinator for VSA Alabama, provided major coordination
and assistance in planning. Mrs. Sawyer thanked leaders with
the Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities, museum
director Mark Johnson and his staff, as well as the
qualified exhibit juror and judges.
"The Museum is always looking for new artists and
for unique and innovative modes of expression to present to
the public," said Mr. Johnson. "We are delighted
once again to partner with our friends at the Alabama
Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation."
The exhibition opened September 15 and will run through
October 21, 2001.
Mrs. Sawyer presented artists with first, second and
third place cash prizes and four honorable mentions. "I
understand that many wonderful pieces of art were submitted
for this show. I congratulate everyone who contributed
artwork, as well as those whose pieces were selected, and
whose works received special recognition," Sawyer said.
A number of persons or organizations also provided
sponsorship or other assistance for the day’s events.
Contributing award money were R. Harrell Bullard, DMD, John
N. Pappanastos for Pappanastos & Wilson, PC and Metro
Music, Inc., all of Montgomery. Serving as volunteer juror
for the show was Mr. David McCann of Mobile; volunteer
judges were Connie Deal of Montgomery Academy and Chris
Payne of Huntingdon College, both of Montgomery.
Prize winners included: 1st prize, Anna Mantel
from Montgomery for Untitled; 2nd prize,
Fred Marchman from Mobile for Blue Bayou; and 3rd
prize, Carole Eskridge from Huntsville for Pilgrim’s
Progress. Honorable mentions went to Reginald Johnson of
Montgomery for Face; Dono Barnett of Mobile for Japanese
Persimmon; Tracey McReynolds of Mobile for Square
Dance; and Jimmy Scott of Mobile for Homework.
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