We made most of what we needed to cover videography for the IAVDC performance, Home/Unrestrained, which means that we’ll have a nice professional video of the whole performance and will also be able to make a promotional video for IAVDC!

And now let us show you some of the excellent things that happened at the fundraiser!

Fun at the craft table. (Thanks to Lavaun and Alyson and their helpers for running the show there!)

Native American singer and drummer John Edmo open the event with an honor song and a round dance. We were too busy participating in the dance to take any pictures! But you can hear John performing a few songs on a local radio station a few years ago, on the Tillicum Wawa: Voices of the People show, here.

Longtime friend of DACP, singer/songwriter Jana Losey, performed a few songs!

In addition to donating a painting for the auction, Joy Corcoran told the story of Iris (the girl in the tactile sculpture) and Aurora the seeing eye dragon (also part of the sculpture). Joy wrote a blog post about her performance, and reprinted the text of her story, here!

After we closed round one of the auction, John’s father, the inimitable Ed Edmo (Shoshone-Bannock)–poet, storyteller, playwright, historian, longtime activist, and Native American consultant, not to mention the Vice President of the board of the National Indian Parent Information Center–gave an impromptu performance of the legend of Snake.

Roll, Snake!

Then Sarah Doherty, DACP  Development Director, dusted off her a cappella folk singing skills for a rendition of James Taylor’s “Millworker” and her own version of “Low Bridge, Everybody Down.” More than a few audience members sang along!

Mules named Sal=awesome (best on the Erie Canal). Photo by Kathy Coleman.

And Inclusive Arts Vibe Dance Company performed two pieces before the close of the auction, at the end of the afternoon! They previewed a new piece that will be debuted at Home/Unrestrained, an homage to Artistic Director Kathy Coleman’s father:

Monique, Daric, and Ali dancing with a basketball. Photo by Kathy Coleman.

Chloe and Addie dance with basketball midair! Photo by Kathy Coleman.

Group shot of IAVDC dancers performing with basketballs: Rachel W & PA, Rachel E, Monique, Daric, & Addie’s arm and toes. Photo by Kathy Coleman

Monique and Chloe dancing

Rachel W dancing with PA; they made intricate circles on the dance floor. Photo by Cheryl Green

IAVDC dancers also reprised their popular Lady Gaga piece.

Addie prepares to pirouette during her dance solo. Photo by Cheryl Green.

Monique, Rachel E, Daric, and Chloe spin and hold monster claw poses. Photo by Cheryl Green.

Rachel E’s dance solo. Photo by Cheryl Green.

IAVDC Gaga group shot. Photo by Cheryl Green.

Stefanie Snider (our visual arts coordinator who runs the open art sessions) ran the food table with Cheryl Green, who, in addition to taking pictures, acted as the Master of Ceremonies. with help from new volunteer Marcella. Our longtime volunteer Barbara H worked with accessibility and auction coordinator Kelley Schaperjahn to run the auction, dance company members contributed artwork and sold flowers, donated truffles from Missionary Chocolates, and kid-friendly necklaces donated by Sarah, and a dozen other volunteers helped us to set up, transfer unsold round one auction items to the round two auction tables, and clean up. We had refreshments donated by fundraiser coordinating committee members, as well as Dovetail Bakery, Fred Meyer (Hawthorne), Grand Central Baking Company (Beaumont), New Seasons (Division), and Whole Foods (Hollywood). In addition, volunteers donated their artwork, and helped us find other donations to auction off (see the full, amazing list of donors here!). We could not have had this event, and our youth dancers can’t succeed, without support from our whole community–and you all came through. Thank you!

And don’t forget–the youth performance we all worked so hard to support, Home/Unrestrained, is this weekend! May 3, 4, and 5–see you there!

We need the following art and craft supplies for our upcoming art classes:

• Colored construction paper
• Colored cardstock
• Colored felt or felted wool
• Acrylic sealing spray
• Jump rings
• Earring wires
• Headpins
• Embroidery thread and craft needles
• Jewelry stringing wire or cord
• Fasteners/clasps for necklaces/bracelets
• Beads (all sizes)
• Donated or borrowed jewelers’ pliers (at least 2 more)
• Donated or borrowed small wire cutters (at least 2 more)
• Frames, 8 1/2 x 11″ or larger (at least 10 more)

We could also use gift cards to art and craft supply stores!

E-mail us at disabilityartculture@gmail.com if you can help with art and craft supplies!

We are looking for donations of items for our art and culture auction this April:

• Artwork, including but not limited to sculpture, jewelry, painting, illustration, papercrafts, prints, photographs, and digital media
• Gift certificates
• Meals at restaurants
• Hotel stays
• Art supplies
• Vouchers for classes
• Tickets to local performances
• Museum tickets and/or memberships

We are also looking for donations of

• Gift certificates to local grocery stores
• In-kind donations from local restaurants and/or bakeries, for light refreshments the day of the fundraiser
• In-kind donations of poster printing
• Paper products: cups, plates, napkins, tablecloths, disposable flatware
• Artisan chocolates and fresh-cut flowers to sell at the fundraiser
• Crayons, paper, pipe cleaners, coloring books, and other art supplies appropriate for young children for an activity table

Do you have anything to donate, or any other ideas about fundraising for our youth dancers? Let us know by e-mailing diabilityartculture@gmail.com!

For the Inclusive Arts Vibe Dance Company performance in May, we are looking for donations of the following:

• Videography
• Video editing
• Professional photography
• In-kind donations of poster printing

Contact the artistic director, Kathy Coleman, at kafia2008@yahoo.com  if you can help us with our IAVDC performance needs!

We’ve received a donation of frames for our Waltz of the Flowers class, but we can still use your help!

Join us for an all-ages paper cutout art workshop with emerging local artist, longtime diversity facilitator, and friend to DACP, Lavaun Heaster! Join us to make bright, tactile, inclusive, and accessible paper cutout folk art. All materials and tools will be provided. Don’t worry if you’ve never made visual art before, or if you don’t think you have the skills! Lavaun’s workshops are inclusive, for all ages and abilities, we’ll have some shapes already cut out for you to design and arrange, and DACP will also have some volunteers to assist with art-making.

All participants will receive an electronic image of the art piece(s) they create, and the original artwork will be donated to DACP for fundraising purposes. Inclusive Arts Vibe Dance Company’s spring performance is coming up, and DACP is working on a family friendly fundraiser to cover the expenses. This workshop is for people who would like to create art to donate for auction at DACP’s fundraiser!

WHEN AND WHERE:

SCRAP Education Annex, Standard Dairy Building, Suite J, 2808 NE MLK, Jr. Blvd, 97212
Saturday, March 2, 3:30-5:30pm

ACCESSIBILITY:

• The SCRAP Education Annex is on the #6 bus line, and there is some on-street parking on the surrounding side streets.
• The building is ADA accessible.
• There are two large, accessible single-stall gender-neutral restrooms.
• Although DACP gladly accepts donations to cover our costs, there is no charge for this workshop.
• Please refrain from wearing scented products. This event takes place in a rented community space that is not consistently fragrance free.
• This workshop is all ages. Children 6 and under with adult supervision only.
• Volunteer art assistants will be available.
• Contact disabilityartculture@gmail.com with further accessibility questions.

TO REGISTER:

Space is limited! Please register directly with DACP by e-mailing disabilityartculture@gmail.com or calling 503-238-0723 (voice) by 5pm on Friday, March 1.

Visit our facebook event page here, but please do register by e-mailing or calling.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Lavaun Heaster is an emerging local low vision artist who creates inclusive tactile art. Lavaun’s work depicts diverse people connecting. She is curious about varying cultural practices and beliefs, having grown up in a multiethnic family and currently living with a multiethnic partner. Inspired by the vibrant art, ethnic communities and disability scene in Portland, OR, Lavaun has combined her passions in creating original art which you can see at http://accesibleart.webs.com/.

Volunteer Coordinator

Duties:

• Recruit Fundraiser and publicity volunteers using internet tools, email, and personal networking.
• Liaise between other committee members and volunteers.
• Clearly explain volunteer duties.
• Welcome volunteers to DACP.
• Supervise volunteers at the fundraiser
• Attend Fundraiser planning committee meetings and communicate challenges and needs to committee members.
• Help with event publicity/other tasks as needed.

Time commitment:

• 4 hours/week
• 6-7 hours/week on weeks that events occur.

Development Specialist

Duties

• Procure donations or supervise volunteers to procure donations of art supplies and items for auction.
• Plan and run art auction aspect of DACP fundraiser: logistics including cash box and credit card payments, bidding sheets; supervise volunteers to  make auction run smoothly.
• Set up and manage auction payment options.
• Keep records of donations and payments.
• Write thank you letters to donors, or coordinate volunteers to write thank you letters.
• Help with event publicity/other tasks as needed.
• Attend committee meetings.

Time commitment

• 4-6 hours/week through mid April
• possibly 8 hours the week of the event.

Hospitality Coordinator

Duties

• Procure food, beverage, and paper goods donations for Fundraiser.
• Coordinate pickup of food and beverage donations.
• Plan and run food and beverage setup and cleanup at the fundraiser; supervise 1-3 volunteers.
• Attend Fundraiser planning committee meetings and communicate challenges and needs to committee members.
• Help with event publicity/other tasks as needed.

Time commitment

• 2-4 hours/week
• 6+ hours the week of the fundraiser

Outreach Coordinator

Duties

• Advertise art classes and fundraiser event using online tools, personal networks, and postering
• Organize at least one postering party to canvass neighborhoods
• Post event details to community calendars and list in radio event calendars
• Attend fundraiser planning committee meetings and communicate challenges and needs to other committee members.

Time commitment

• 2-4 hours/week

Kids’ Crafts Leads

Duties

• Plan an art/craft activity for a wide range of ages and abilities.
• Write up instructions for the activity.
• Plan craft setup; supervise setup and cleanup volunteers.
• Direct 1-2 volunteers.
• Explain craft instructions to children and youths.
• Help participants with crafts as needed.
• Supervise children
• Be flexible about how and who participates.
• Clean up craft area within the time frame of the event.
• Attend one or two planning committee meetings a few weeks before the event.

Time commitment

• 4-6 hours planning
• About 5 hours on the day of the event

Interested? Want to know more? Check out our previous post on this committee and please contact Kathy Coleman at kafia2008@yahoo.com or 503-238-0723 (voice) if you can join our planning committee.