APH Insight's Art Contest Awards

The Insights Art contest had 400 submissions this year from across the country, 90 of which made it into the exhibition. There were first and second place winners from about 7 categories, and a few of my students were chosen as winners, in the 10-12th grade category.  In fact, of the eight winners who showed up to the American Printing House for the Blind conference in Kentucky, to receive their awards, four were my students. All four sold their artwork.

The thrill of the airport train

I'm always overwhelmed with the responsibility of taking other people's children out of state. In the planning stages, I wonder if it is worth the effort, but once we are there, I get to see one life changing moment after another. Three of the four students had never flown before, but were willing to face their fear and get on the plane. 

a student describes her painting process

My students navigated 30 foot escalators (which can be more scary than planes), moving sidewalks, automatic rotating doors, and city streets. They shook hands with the president of APH, stayed in a fancy hotel, mingled at the reception, stood in front of hundreds of strangers at the awards ceremony and were interviewed by a podcaster. I'm hoping that by doing worthwhile things despite being afraid, students will take courage later in life, and venture out to live more fully, despite being blind.

The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft (KMAC) had free admission and we always get an outstanding audio description tour. Art is for everyone after all, and it's nice to get some insight into not only what the artwork looks like, but the processes and intentions of the artists.

The Louisville Pumpkin Spectacular staff were also very accommodating, allowing us to enter the wooded park trail to see thousands of jack-o-lanterns 15 minutes before the crowds. The smells, and music in each section made it a multi-sensory experience. 

There are hundreds of real pumpkins, at the Spectacular, that artists have to re-carve every several weeks because they start to decay. I loved that they had a section jack-o-lanterns of famous art portraits, like the ones we had just studied in class.

Weeks after we got home from the trip, a couple of my students made sure I knew that they would never forget the experiences they had that special weekend. I'm grateful I could be a part of that memory for them.

I'm so grateful for my friend and co-chaperone for sharing the adventure.