"A Matter of Perception"

Juried Exhibition by Artists with Disabilities

It has been more than ten years since VSA arts of Maine decided to organize an exhibition of art made by people with disabilities. Our goals, then and now, are to provide an opportunity for these artists to exhibit their work, to increase awareness within the general population about the creativity and talent of people with disabilities, and to promote improved accessibility within Maine's arts and cultural facilities.

Each cycle of A Matter of Perception lasts two years. 2008 will be the first year of this cycle, beginning with the Call for Art. We expect to have 400 pieces of art submitted. The 2006 Call brought work from every corner of the state and from many mediums: stained glass, miniature metal boxes, fiber art, wall art made from wood and from wire, photographs, watercolors, acrylic paintings, and more. The artists come from a wide range of artistic training and backgrounds, and represented the spectrum of what it means to have a disability.

During 2008 every piece of art submitted will be shown at least once at one of fifteen exhibitions across the state. At each installation a different group of jurors will select a small number of works to go on to the 2009 exhibition. This juried show will travel across Maine throughout 2009.

Follow this link to view the artwork from A Matter of Perception's most recent juried show in 2007: View Online Exhibition

Do you have questions about how the artwork in the Matter of Perception exhibition is submitted? Click here to view the 2008 call for art and entry form.

Exhibition Schedule

Click here to view the exhibition schedule for Matter of Perception 2008.

What ties these artists together is not a set of disabilities at all, but the power, spirit and beauty of their work. All these are what we deeply need from art, and, fortunately, they are here in abundance. -Alan Crichton, Artistic Director, Waterfall Arts, Belfast