About VSA arts
VSA arts is an international, non-forprofit organization founded in 1974 to create a society where all people with (and without) disabilities can come together in an inclusive environment and learn, participate in and enjoy the arts. The program was first founded by Abassador Jean Kennedy Smith. VSA arts is also an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
What does "VSA" stand for?
Originally "VSA" was an acronym for Very Special Arts. Though our three letters no longer explicitily act as an acronym, they are now intended to represent:
Strength in shared resouces,
Artistic expression that unite us all."
About VSA Arts of Loudoun
VSA arts of Virginia Loudoun County was founded in 1989, by several stalwart volunteers lead by Alice Power, who has served as director, lyricist and composer, producer, costumer and set mover. In the Spring of 1991 the first musical play, The Wizard of Oz was performed at Luckett's Community Center. The next year, we moved to Loudoun Valley Community Center for rehearsals and performances, where we remained until our audiences outgrew the gymnasium! We then rehearsed at the Round Hill Arts Center, until the Visual and Performing Arts Center at Franklin Park opened this year, which is now our permanent performing venue.
We have performed at three International Festivals of VSA arts in Brussels, Belgium in 1994, in Los Angeles, California in 1999 and in Washington, DC in 2004. In September 2005, the Clowning Group performed at the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk in Fairfax County while also celebrating VSA arts actress Lauren Welsh, the Honorary Chairperson for Buddy Walk 2005! And we were thrilled that our clowns were invited back for the 2006 Buddy Walk.
In this past year, we started offering workshops in preparation for the Mainstage Show. We had movement classes that helped teach the participants how to bow correctly as well as authentic Japanese movement. One of the favorite workshops was on Japanese Drumming. A local traditional Japanese Drumming Ensemble, Nen Daiko, came and not only did dramatic, energetic presentations, but taught the methods of drumming to nearly 30 participants. This event was followed by a series of workshops led by Shizumi, who taught traditional Japanese movement. Shizumi was so impressed by what our group was doing, and the talent that its participants had, that she invited us to be one of the opening events for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.
The DaVinci Art Studio was founded in 2001 by Pam Oliver, who had been very involved in many aspects of the theater productions as well a long time board member. The idea was to create an open studio in which the participants would work in a gallery space and receive art instruction. By placing our studio in a gallery, the DaVinci artist's are inspired not only by the ever changing art displays, but also by meeting and conversing with the local artists. This exposes them to a variety of media, styles and techniques.
Since its inception, the DaVinci artists have displayed and sold a number of pieces of original art. We have been invited to show our artist's work all over the state of Virginia. One of our artist's pieces has traveled the world in an International Art Exhibit, "How does art shape your world?" There have been several workshops in felting, spinning and weaving and ceramics offered to both the DaVinci artists and the general public.