Posted Saturday October 21 2017 at 4:48 pm
in News
It is with bittersweet excitement that we announce the departure of Aysha Upchurch from VSA Massachusetts after three and a half years of service, laughter, creation and innovation within our COOL Schools programming, and across the organization. Aysha started with VSA in September 2014 as an Education Intern, and found that the internship was an invaluable complement to her coursework while in school at the Harvard Graduate School of Education -- it allowed her to ground the theoretical frameworks around school-community partnerships, inclusion, and arts integration strategies. She was delighted to join the staff full time in 2015 after her graduate studies to explore and implement coaching supports and professional development programming, also while bolstering the organization's framing of the intersectional and social justice nature of its work and mission.
Aysha took a moment to write her own words of gratitude:
My time at this organization, this family, has been invaluable to me as it has afforded me the opportunity to advance and support work I care about, all while becoming more plugged in to the Boston arts and education communities. When I came to the Boston area three years ago and survived the most evil winter I have ever experienced, I was certain that I would not stay. (I hate the winter.) However, weathering tundra-like temperatures became possible largely in part to the fantastic people I had the privilege to work with and learn from at VSA and the network of local community arts organizations. I believe deeply in the work that is being done for arts and inclusion in schools and the larger community. I also believe that teaching artists and community arts organizations have an indelible role in advancing truly progressive and equitable school reform, and it has been a pleasure to work for an organization that brings those voices into the conversation.
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Posted Wednesday October 18 2017 at 08:45 am
in Open Door Gallery
Ali Blake, Associate Gallery Curator at VSA MA and Ed.M Candidate in Arts in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
What are your favorite pastimes?
"Rollerskating, being in the ocean, questing for delicious food (and to make it!), a newfound appreciation for growing/harvesting/eating food from my deck (or in the wild!), an evening at home cooking and eating great food with friends while listening to some good music."
If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?
"Daria Morgendorffer (+ warmth) -- intelligent, subversive, snarky."
You are trapped on an island. What three items do you want to have with you?
"A solar-powered, fully-loaded portable music player (iPod), a thriving garden plot to eat from/sustain, a huge book full of blank pages."
Do you have any uncommon talents or quirks?
"I find that when there is music playing my body will just start moving, I can't help it! This can also be music playing in my head and not just 'out loud'. I've also been known to create hybrid 90s nickelodeon characters!"
What brings you to VSA?
"Before starting graduate study, I previously worked as a Direct Support Professional at an arts-based day studio for adults with disabilities, as a Teaching Artist within a youth arts organization, and as someone who worked to connect people/places doing great and related work! VSA MA intentionally combines aspects of those experiences and I'm thrilled to be able to join in! As a new Bostonian, I'm grateful to start connecting with folks doing awesome work here!"
What are you doing during your internship?
"As Associate Gallery Curator I am assisting in the process of re-imagining the Open Door Gallery space, mission, purpose, programs both within and outside of its walls and across VSA MA's programs!"
Posted Monday October 09 2017 at 11:27 pm
in News
Join us at HUBweek to explore the future being built in Boston at the intersections of art, science, and technology. HUBweek will kick off with events taking place all across the city, and land on Boston's City Hall Plaza as it transforms into The HUB presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance. Filled with 80 shipping containers and 6 geodesic domes, The HUB will feature a multi-day ideas festival, live arts experiences, a massive startup showcase, exhibits, parties, and more.
VSA Massachusetts is working with HUBweek to introduce several area artists with disabilities to the event. These will be multi-art and multi-sensory performances that will engage the audience in a creative experience of shared humanity through the prism of the experience of disability. The VSA performances at HUBweek are part of the Immersion Art Program, sponsored by Union Point, a new city rising 12 miles south of Boston.
Jon Sarkin is a visual artist and a spoken word performance artist. He will work with videographer and drummer Emile Doucette and lead guitarist Dan King. Their performance, Unchained Brain, is a multi-media exploration of the visual art Jon Sarkin produces in the endless creative flow created by damage to his brain caused by a stroke. Jon will tell his story in a free form rap accompanied by a collection of images ranging from Jon's studio work, to his brain scans, and Jon's performance with indie band Guster.
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