Among 75 Artists for the VSA Ohio Day of Arts in Westerville, Ohio

Among 75 Artists
Owen J. McCafferty

It’s a memory of an day that as an artist that I will always cherish and keep it fresh in my mind when I was being recognized for my artwork among 75 other artists. This took place March 15, 2015 where I had attended the VSA Ohio Accessible Expressions 2015 Day of Arts Event. My acrylic portrait a painting of the legendary singer & composter Stevie Wonder had been accepted along with 75 other talented artists pieces. This would be like a traveling art show exhibit throughout the state of Ohio that would start out in Westerville, Ohio and throughout the state at other art venues. Example in the fall, they’ll be at Beck Center which is my neck of the woods in Northeast Ohio October – November. This event will run from March 2015-Decemember of 2015.
The opening Festiviti es of VSA Ohio Arts for the Day was held at the Westerville Community Center in Westerville, Ohio. The place was packed when I arrived!! All types of paintings, photographs, and works of art were on display. This would be like any other regular high class art show you would probably find in New York City, Los Angles or Paris, France, but here it was in a community center in a northern suburb of Columbus, Ohio. Furthermore, the most amazing and unique thing about this art show event was that all 75 artists had one thing in common, we shared some form of disabililty but we were artist first and for most. For that time we all felt accepted and the we belonged! We were all inspired by each other through our own art and ways to be creative. Me being visually impaired and love to draw and paint I had been inspired by John Bramblitt, another blind painter who I have come to tonight but that day on March 15, I think we all inspired each other during that time looking at each others artwork.
During the ceremonies, they did give out 13 awards out of 75 artists that attended this Arts for the Day. Awards were giving out in various catagoeries such as painting, photography, sculpture. Even age groups were represented from children to adults.adult, Than there was the professional and up incoming artists that were just starting out like me. Unfortunately I didn’t really win anything but I did get a certificate for participation which I will gladly frame! Personally, I would say I’m still learn ing the ropes of becoming an full fledged fine artist. So I was okay about not winning anything major. Although a painting of Stevie Wonder didn’t catch the judges eyes it was just great to be there and be part of that whole event! I was still being recognized for my artwork that day while they were calling the names of each artist and the artwork, the image was displayed on a large screen and applause would come up as the artist would stand from their seat. Naturally I was nervous but when I saw Mr. Wonder painted portrait up on that screen I just stood up waving at the crowd of people in that hall applauding and whooping it up. No matter out disabilities on that day we were all artists being recognized and I was greatly proud to be among the 75 other artists.