VSA Wisconsin Stories and Outcomes
VSA Wisconsin uses the arts to makes a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities. The following stories underscore the power of the arts:
Engagement leads to new skills in VSA’s Early Childhood-Healthy Foundations artist residencies
VSA Wisconsin's Early Childhood-Healthy Foundations artist residencies use the arts to promote school readiness for young children with and without disabilities at sites across the state. Leah Wyngaard, an early childhood educator in Kaukauna expressed her pleasure with the residency outcomes: “I am absolutely amazed at how much my students’ language and vocabulary has grown as a result of these music classes! I have seen many more positive peer interactions in the classroom as a result in confidence and language skills. It was so much fun to watch all of my students grow so quickly!”
Flower Power and The Art of Felting
In a recent artist residency entitled “Flower Power: The Art of Felting,” students with disabilities from several Milwaukee-area schools learned how to integrate raw wool with felt to create 3x3 foot banners that reflected garden-themed imagery. Fairview South’s principal Tanya Fredrich shared that “I really enjoyed working with VSA Wisconsin and giving the students this amazing experience!“ The completed felted banners were publicly displayed at the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory in spring 2009.
Making music, making a difference through the VSA Choir program
“This Choir always touches my heart; what a difference you make in the community.” – Audience member from Stevens Point
VSA Wisconsin choirs in eleven communities across the state use music to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Outcomes include increased self confidence, improved musical skills and a greater sense of belonging to the community. A choir director observed that a previously unengaged choir member made a significant accomplishment in a spring concert. During a particular song, choir members were invited to hold and use handheld rhythm instruments. The choir director observed the member beating to the exact beat of the song and fully engaged in the music.
My Imagination provides daily inspiration for Sauk City resident
Dawn Danz-Hale of Sauk City shared her appreciation of a VSA Wisconsin exhibition presented at the Blue Spoon Café in Prairie du Sac. She admired Stephen Granbow’s painting My Imagination during several visits to the Café, and a friend eventually purchased the piece as a gift for Dawn, who says: “When I first saw the work, the effect was huge. I felt like an electrical happy current had passed through me…..I absolutely love and cherish "My Imagination." It truly inspires me each and every day.”
“Art is my life”
For individuals with disabilities like Travis Gunther of Wausau, creating a painting like A Beautiful Day brings him great joy. His work of art was one of 26 selected to receive an award from the more than 200 submissions in the 2009 Call for Art. Travis has Down Syndrome, which he says affects every cell of his body, making it difficult to hold a pencil or press down on paper. Painted with acrylic and using techniques of his favorite painter, Vincent Van Gogh, Travis says that he likes the appearance of the thick paint and bright colors and textures of his painting. He tells us that “Art is life. It’s all around us. And, art is my life.”
VSA Art Center classes lead to new skills, awards and micro-businesses for participants