VSA Vermont’s Engage exhibition project has importance to artists, audiences and venues across Vermont. Presenting both new and established artists, the Engage exhibition brings the work of 35 Vermont artists with various disabilities to the forefront of cultural life in Vermont. Artists across Vermont participating in the Engage exhibition include Robert McBride, Margaret Kannenstine, Beth Barndt, Steve Chase, Lyna Lou Nordstrum, Robert Gold along with 30 others. Engage is curated by Greensboro artist Paul Gruhler, whose works have been exhibited throughout the United States and Europe and are collected internationally. Gruhler’s selection of artwork for VSA Vermont’s Engage exhibition includes paintings in acrylic, oil and watercolor, drawings in ink, pastel and charcoal, as well as mixed media and assemblage.

Judith Chalmer, VSA Vermont’s Executive Director, hopes the project will expand accessibility within cultural venues across Vermont. With the help of Renee Wells, an accessibility consultant for the Vermont Arts Council, and other program partners, VSA Vermont has provided assistance to artists with creating digital imagery of artwork and artist statements as well as with framing where needed. The Engage project also includes technical assistance to participating cultural venues including audio and verbal description. VSA Vermont receives support for Engage from Bari and Peter Dreissigacker, The Vermont Community Foundation, Wells Fargo Advisors, the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, FairPoint Communications, People’s United Bank, Burlington City Arts, Artist Mediums, Dan Lovell Photography, Karen Maxon voice actor, Northfield Savings Bank and Seven Days. VSA Vermont is an affiliate of VSA, a program of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.