The entries in the 2015-16 exhibit include paintings, photographs, clay pottery, mosaics, textiles and other mediums considered fine art. The nine-city tourkicked off in Conyers in early October and concludes in Douglasville in July.
“Georgia Artists with Disabilities continues to be an avenue that allows hundreds ofdisabled artists to achieve recognition and commercial opportunities for their unique pieces of art,” said Ann Brooks, GAWD chair. “We’re proud to be an advocate for the disabled in communities across Georgia and honored to put their art on display every year for the public to see and enjoy.”
The winning artist from Duluth is:
Peter An. He won “Honorable Mention” for the oil pastel “Still Life Kiwi.” Peter has a gift for colors, design and storytelling. He loves to work with children and hopes to make animations and illustrations for children’s books. He currently participates in the Strive Program in the Gwinnett County Public Schools and in his spare time swims and competes nationally with the Nautical Milers Special Needs Swim Team.
The winning artist from Lawrenceville is:
Shelvey Dickerson. He won “Distinguished Merit” for the acrylic “1920 Downtown Atlanta.” Shelvey started his pursuit of art when he was a senior at Campbell High School. His art teacher taught him how to draw in 3D. He later took up ceramics. He has exhibited in the Galleria Art Show and is a former Artist of the Month.
Judging the entries in this year’s exhibit were:
Allen Bell, arts education manager at Georgia Council for the Arts. He is developing new arts education initiatives for the arts agency and recently produced the research report “Arts Education in Georgia” and managed the statewide Arts Learning Task Force process. He previously served as program director for Arts Education & Research at South Arts, where he researched and authored the reports “Creative Industries in the South,” “Creative Industries in Alabama,” and “Arts Education in the South.” He is also a former executive director of the Rome Area Council for the Arts. He currently serves as the regional representative for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Arts Education Working Group. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Berry College and a master’s from Binghamton University.
Meryl Manfre Clark, community arts leader with 10 years of experience working with municipal art centers, schools, universities and other organizations to enhance communities through innovative and accessible arts programs. Her passion for community arts stems from her strong belief that the arts have the power to improve quality of life while uniting communities and people of various backgrounds. Over the years, she has worked with at-risk youth, individuals with special needs, inmates in correctional facilities and other underserved populations. She is currently the arts center coordinator for The Art Station-Big Shanty in Cobb County. She holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from Auburn University.
Donna Colebeck, lecturer of studio art in the department of art and design in Kennesaw State University’s College of the Arts. She is a former director of the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art and has held positions at the High Museum of Art and the Strong Museum. She has worked in and exhibited watercolor and acrylic painting, metalworks and photography. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Nazareth College and a master of fine arts from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Georgia Artists with Disabilities Inc. was founded in 1985 by the Pilot Clubs of Metro Atlanta and is supported by Georgia District Pilot Clubs. The mission of Pilot International is to transform communities by developing youth, providing service and education, and uplifting families.
The mission of Georgia Artists with Disabilities is to provide avenues through which Georgia artists with disabilities can display their artistic accomplishments in all disciplines of the arts, and to create public awareness of the artistic skills these artists have developed by overcoming the obstacles of their disabilities.
Georgia Artists with Disabilities, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization.
