MERGE: VSA EMERGING YOUNG ARTISTS

August 4 - October 27, 2022

228 Fayetteville St, VAE Main Gallery

Opening Reception: August 4, 6 - 8pm*

*please fill out accessibility needs form below

ABOUT MERGE

VAE Raleigh is pleased to present the 2021 VSA Emerging Young Artists Competition, a Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program of the Kennedy Center. The program drew submissions from talented young artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, from around the United States. This year’s theme, MERGE, explores uniting paths and asks what we can learn when it all comes together. The call invited artists to consider the intersections and combinations of their creative process and disability identity. In art, the juxtaposition of ideas can blur distinctions or reveal something new.

“These young artists challenge us to see the world through their lived experiences with disabilities. Their work sparks dialogue and examination of who we are and, hopefully, will ignite understanding around creative and identity,” said Betty Siegel, Kennedy Center, Director of Accessibility and VSA. “We thank Volkswagen Group of America for their 20 years of support. We look forward to seeing the impact these 15 young artists and their work will have on bringing us all together.”

“Volkswagen Group’s steadfast support of the VSA Emerging Young Artists Program over the past 20 years has helped emerging artists with disabilities build the foundation for successful careers. This year’s exhibition theme, MERGE, brings together a cross-cutting group of artists working across media, merging 2D and 3D forms, and creating exciting juxtapositions.” said Anna Schneider, Senior Vice President, Industry-Government Relations for Volkswagen Group of America. “These artists invite us all to consider what new ideas might emerge from blending perspectives. I am both proud and excited to see their award-winning work and for the opportunities the national tour will create for each artist and their career.”

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Panteha Abareshi - Los Angeles, CA

Joshua “Shuah” Ben-Dylan - New York, NY

Mike Cannata - Geneva, IL

Miranda Chao - Seattle, WA

MJ Cooper - Backlick, OH

Sky Dai - Asheville, NC

James de Guzman Lee - Hillsborough, CA

Moriah Faith - Black Forest, CO

ABOUT THE EMERGING YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION

Since 2002, the Kennedy Center and Volkswagen Group of America have teamed up for the VSA Emerging Young Artists Program, a Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program, to recognize and showcase the work of emerging young artists living with disabilities in the United States. This collaboration creates opportunities for these artists at a critical time when many are making the life-defining choice to pursue arts-based careers. The Kennedy Center and Volkswagen are committed to investing in the future of young artists living with disabilities.