TERRE HAUTE —
Artists whose disabilities have overshadowed their work get a chance to shine in the light of a prodigy this coming month.
Members of the Disability Awareness Work Group will host their inaugural performance and art show March 5 in conjunction with a March 13 concert featuring musical prodigy Brittany Maier, who was born both blind and autistic. Participation in the show, “Celebrating Exceptional Abilities in the Arts,” is free, with tryouts offered Feb. 25. Applications must be turned in by Feb. 15, sponsors said Wednesday.
Marlene Lu, a spokeswoman for the Bayh College of Education at Indiana State University, said the idea combines Disability Awareness Month in March with public interest in talent shows such as “American Idol” and “The Voice.”
“Some of these people are very artistic, and we want to showcase that because a lot of times they don’t get as much attention for their talent,” Lu said of children and adults with disabilities.
The event features youth and adult division in both talent and art categories. Individuals living in Clay, Greene, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties are welcome to apply. Performers and artists will be judged to qualify for the March 5 show, and Lu said given that performances will be videotaped, early applications are much appreciated. Visual artists may submit up to two items for show, and performance acts must be music-based in either voice, instrument or dance categories. Individuals interested should contact Lu at 812-237-2830.
Participants in the show will receive special seating at the free Brittany Maier concert March 13 at ISU’s University Hall Theater.
According to information provided by the organizers, Maier was born April 1989, premature by four months, weighing 1 pound, 5 ounces. Diagnosed blind, autistic and mentally disabled, her musical talents emerged when began playing Schubert’s “Ave Maria” on a toy piano at the age of 6 years old. Able to duplicate songs after hearing them just a few times, Maier was able to memorize music regardless of style, instrument or language.
After receiving formal training at the University of South Carolina, Maier began composing original songs at the age of 10 and released her first album “20/20” two years later. Her second CD, “A World of My Own,” was released in 2006, and Maier has appeared on Dateline NBC as well as talk shows hosted by Paula Zahn and Montel Williams.
Peter Ciancone, director of The Will Center, said the contest is very inclusive in its outreach.
“Any age, any disability,” he said, emphasizing the swath of communities covered by agencies belonging to DAWG. “It’s not just limited to Vigo County. It’s more like west central Indiana.”
Founded in 2010, DAWG began with 15 social service agencies seeking to collaborate about disabilities. Since then, the group has grown to more than 40, according to Lu, and has earned honors at the state and local levels for its initiatives. In addition to DAWG Night with the Terre Haute Rex and the annual Low Vision Expo, the group also hosts events such as Special After-School Storytime at the Vigo County Public Library.
Lu said martial artist Jacob Garcia, who suffers from extremely low-vision, will offer a demonstration in conjunction with the event, and a showing of the visual artwork will be offered prior to the performances.
Ciancone said showcasing artistic talent is always a positive, and expanding that opportunity to those with disabilities simply makes it better.
“Artistic expression is valuable to everyone,” he said.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
More information
• For more information, or to receive application forms, concerning the Disability Awareness Work Group’s “Celebrating Exceptional Abilities in the Arts,” contact Marlene Lu at Indiana State University, 812-237-2830.
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