Welcome to the VSA arts of Maine Web Site

"A Matter of Perception"

Exhibition by Artists with Disabilities

It has been more than eleven 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.

Thus A Matter of Perception (MOP) was launched. MOP follows a biennial cycle, with a Call for Art kicking-off the first year and a juried exhibition completing the second year. We just wrapped up our Call for Art for our 2010/2011 cycle, during which 250 pieces of art were submitted from every corner of the state and in many mediums: stained glass, miniature metal work, fiber art, wall art made from wood and from wire, photographs, watercolors, acrylic paints, and more. These artists came from a wide range of artistic training and backgrounds, and represent the spectrum of what it means to have a disability.

Every piece of art submitted to MOP 2010 will be shown at least once during the many exhibitions scheduled across the state. At each installation, a different group of jurors will select a small number of works to go on to the 2011 exhibition. This juried exhibition will travel across Maine throughout 2011.

Follow link to view the artwork from A Matter of Perception 2009 juried show: View 2009 Juried Exhibition

Follow link to view the artwork from A Matter of Perception 2007 juried show: View 2007 Juried Exhibition

Exhibition Schedule

A Matter of Perception 2010 Exhibition

Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor    Jan. 5, 2009 - Feb. 24, 201
Creative Trails, Portland    Feb. 26 - March 26, 2010
VSA Gallery in Augusta     March 2010
Camden Public Library     June 2010
Freeport Public Library     October 2010
Biddeford Public Library     May 4 - June 30, 2010
Denmark Arts Center     June 1 - 27, 2010
(Opening Reception, June 3, 2010, 5-7pm and
   Family Art-making Event, June 27, 2010, 1-3pm)
Camden Public Library    June 1 - 30, 2010
   (Opening Reception, June 17, 2010, 5-7pm)
Courtyard Cafe, Houlton    July 17 - Aug. 27, 2010
   (Houlton Opening Reception, July 17, 2010, 4-6pm)
Northeast Harbor Public Library    Sept. 1 - 30, 2010
Freeport Public Library    Oct. 1 - 31, 2010


		Randell Pickel, Scarborough The Red Gown, 2010

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

Funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency, and through an award from the National
Endowment for the Arts, American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.