A collection of original works by artists with neuromuscular diseases
The Culture of Disability * Exhibits *
Support the Collection
The Muscular Dystrophy Association Art Collection was established in 1992 to
focus attention on the achievements of artists with disabilities and to emphasize
that physical disability is no barrier to creativity. The Collection, on permanent
display at MDA National Headquarters in Tucson, Ariz., comprises nearly 350
original works by adults and children who have any of the neuromuscular disorders
in MDA's program. Artists in the Collection represent all 50 states and range
in age from 2 to 82.
The MDA Art Collection is one of the most varied collections in the nation. The
versatility attests to the imagination and talent of the artists. The
Collection features unusual artistic media, from digital designs to collages
with corn, to paint applied with wheelchair wheels and human feet. There are
also many works in more traditional oils, watercolors, acrylics, pen and ink,
crayons, pastels, bronze, ceramics and photography. Subject matter ranges from
self-portraits to landscapes, and from still lifes to outer space fantasies.
In addition to showcasing the work of talented artists who are affected by
neuromuscular diseases, the Collection allows the artists to articulate their
distinctive version of living with a disability.
The Culture of Disability * Exhibits *
Support the Collection
THE CULTURE OF DISABILITY
The MDA Art Collection illustrates the emergence of artists with a sense of
pride in their experiences, including those as people with disabilities. Their
work is an important element in, and vehicle for, the unique culture of
disability. These works provide those served by MDA with the opportunity to
visually communicate their experiences with neuromuscular disease.
The Culture of Disability * Exhibits *
Support the Collection
EXHIBITS
MDA Art Collection exhibits are initiated by either MDA or the host location.
All exhibits are underwritten by the participating facility or by
corporate/individual sponsors.
Exhibits typically consist of 20 to 40 works and vary in duration from about
four to eight weeks. The curator selects the works to be shown at each
individual venue. Some exhibits emphasize range and diversity while others have
a specific focus (e.g. landscapes, self-portraits, etc.).
Selected art from the Collection has been exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art;
Cork Gallery at Lincoln Center and Forbes Magazine Galleries in New York;
Tucson Museum of Art; Bishop Museum in Honolulu; Chicago Public Library, Harold
Washington Library Center; Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art; Los Angeles
Children's Museum; JFK Center at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.;
Fresno Metropolitan Museum; Duluth Art Institute; Capital Children's Museum,
Washington, D.C.; and the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn, Mich.
To date, the MDA Art Collection has been viewed by over 2 million people
nationwide.
The Culture of Disability * Exhibits *
Support the Collection
SUPPORT THE COLLECTION
The Muscular Dystrophy Association welcomes your support of its Art Collection
and its programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and public
health education covering neuromuscular diseases. The Association's programs
are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.
Contributions to MDA, a voluntary non-profit health agency, are
tax-deductible.
For more information about sponsorship of the MDA Art Collection or any other
aspect of the Collection, please contact:
MDA Art Collection
3300 E. Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718-3299
(520) 529-2000
communityprograms@mdausa.org
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