Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Director of International Affairs Maureen McLaughlin and Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Melody Musgrove will give keynote remarks at the opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of an art exhibit featuring students from around the world at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19 in the Department’s auditorium, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W. They will be joined by Director of VSA and the Accessibility Department at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts Betty Siegel, and Vice President for Education at the Kennedy Center Darrell Ayers.
The exhibit of 19 works is hosted by the Department and presented in conjunction with VSA as part of International Education Week. This year’s theme is “Yo Soy … Je Suis … I Am … My Family.” The ceremony will also feature remarks from Baltimore student artist Marquise Griffin, VSA Singapore artist and educator Gregory Burns, and Colette Young, a graduate student at Columbia University and 2013 VSA International Young Soloists winner.
In addition, the event will feature a musical performance by 2010 VSA International Young Soloists winner and singer-songwriter Blessing Offor and drummer and graduate student at the University of South Florida Paul Gavin, also a 2013 VSA International Young Soloists Winner.
VSA, an international organization serving people with disabilities of all ages and an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, was founded more than 39 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities could learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts.
The exhibit will be displayed at the Department through the end of the year.
Refreshments will be served.
NOTE: A sign language interpreter will be present.