All Kids Can CREATE debuts artwork from children with disabilities in 2011 touring exhibition

From PR Newswire. In the picture, artwork by Mazin Hasabelarsoul from Humboldt Senior High School in Saint Paul has been selected to represent Minnesota in the 2011 All Kids Can CREATE national touring exhibition.

WASHINGTON -- CVS Caremark All Kids Can, a $25 million commitment to support children with disabilities, and VSA, the international organization on arts and disability are showcasing their commitment to supporting inclusive arts education with the announcement of the 2011 All Kids Can CREATE student artists.

All Kids Can CREATE is an annual national program where artwork submitted by students, ages 5-15, is selected to represent each state and the District of Columbia for a national art exhibition. This year, All Kids Can CREATE invited young artists with and without disabilities to submit a piece of artwork under the theme, "Imagination Across America."

The 2011 All Kids Can CREATE national touring exhibition will feature a total of 102 pieces of artwork, representing two student artists from each state and the District of Columbia and will debut in Washington, D.C. on June 15, 2011.

An expert panel of judges, including artists and art educators selected the 102 pieces of artwork out of more than 4,700 entries submitted from artists across the country. All of the artwork submitted this year, from paintings to sculptures to photographs, will be featured in an online gallery at www.artsonia.com/allkidscancreate.

"For the fourth year, we are proud to collaborate with VSA on All Kids Can CREATE, the only visual arts program of its kind that showcases how students with and without disabilities learn through the arts," said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president, Corporate Communications and Community Relations for CVS Caremark.

"This program offers a wonderful opportunity for personal expression and we hope the artwork featured in this touring exhibition drives further awareness of the positive impact arts education can have on each and every child."

The All Kids Can CREATE exhibition is just one part of VSA and CVS Caremark's yearlong partnership which also includes support of state VSA affiliates that encourage learning and community engagement through artistic expression.

Strategic grants at the state level also support artist-in-residence programs in schools that expand access and document learning through the arts for students with disabilities. CVS Caremark employees also participate by volunteering in activities in their communities and/or schools to help build inclusive environments.

"It is clear from the thousands of submissions we receive every year for the All Kids Can CREATE program that the arts empower youth to learn and exercise their creativity," said Jennifer Wexler, VSA director of visual arts. "We're proud to partner with CVS Caremark once again to encourage inclusive arts education and provide increased public awareness of the arts in the lives and learning of young people with disabilities."