New exhibition opens at the VSA Wisconsin Gallery

By Kathie Wagner
VSA Wisconsin

A bold and inspiring new art exhibition opens at the VSA Wisconsin Gallery, 1709 Aberg Ave., Monday, April 17, and runs through Saturday, May 6.

Visual Expressions offers a unique glimpse of the often under-recognized creative talents of people with disabilities. These objects of beauty and value are imbued with powerful meaning and reflect the distinctive journey of each artist. The nearly 200 works of art encompass the full breadth of subject areas, reflecting the diversity of the artists and their unique life experiences.

Viewers can enjoy paintings with interesting textures and bold colors, cityscapes inspired by travel and field trips, whimsical paintings of animals, portraits, abstracts, unique 3-D sculptures, ceramics, textiles, photography and mixed media. Many of the works are for sale.

This juried presentation includes popular Madison artists, as well as established and emerging artists from across the state. Among the works are 10 award winners that will be added to VSA Wisconsin’s traveling exhibition in June.

Viewing hours are 9 am‒4 pm Monday‒Thursday or by appointment. The gallery will also be open Friday, May 5, 5‒9 pm, during Madison’s Spring Gallery Night. A meet-the-artists open house/reception for the general public is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2‒4 pm. For more information, go to www.vsawis.org or call 241-2131.

VSA Wisconsin helps inspired artists connect with their passions, service providers with resources and all citizens with creative opportunities. VSA Wisconsin makes the arts and arts education more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. Programs like the Visual Expressions exhibition give artists with disabilities an opportunity to receive recognition for their accomplishments, enhancing feelings of self-worth and promoting a sense of belonging to the broader community.