News Archive

The Abilities Arts Festival News Archive is the repository for past news on updates to our website and Festival events.

We also list events and performances of artists who have appeared at Abilities Arts Festival and, for those interested in opportunities to showcase their work, whether they are a professional or an emerging artist(s), we provide a brief description of upcoming events with links to additional information.

June 2010

Welcoming New Board Members
We are also pleased to welcome four new board members to the organization. Steve Kean, Michelle Amerie, Flavio Belli and Penny Schincariol each bring their own area of expertise and contribution to the organization.

Steve is a photographer who has contributed his incredible work to Abilities Arts Festival events and exhibits. Michelle is an artist of many mediums; she is a sculpture, painter, photographer and writer. Flavio possesses a wide range of experience in the arts community and recently worked with Abilities on the Connections exhibit at Queen’s Park. Penny has worked in the accommodation service industry as an American Sign Language – English Interpreter for 25 years and we have been delighted to have her at many Festival events over the years, including the 2009 Film Forum and Children’s Festival.

April 2010

AAF Talent Shines at Opening Ceremony
Abilities Arts Festival was proud to work with Patrick Roberge Productions as a creative consultant for the Paralympics Opening Ceremony and we were delighted to see previous AAF performers Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli and Martin DesChamps featured. Congratulations to both of them for sharing their amazing talents on the world stage!

Congratulations to all of the 2010 Paralympians!
Abilities Arts Festival would like to congratulate all of the extraordinary athletes who represented their countries at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics. Special congratulations to Paul Rosen and Billy Bridges of Canada’s sledge hockey team. We were thrilled to have Paul and Billy join us last fall for a screening of the film Sledhead, which features many of the members of Team Canada.

March 2010

SAVE THE DATE
We are pleased to announce the dates of the 2010 festival:
September 28th - October 3rd
More details to follow very soon about our exciting schedule of events!

PARTNER EVENT
Join us for a special NFB Mediatheque screening of Tying Your Own Shoes, a documentary that offers an intimate glimpse into the exceptional mindsets and emotional lives of four adult artists with Down Syndrome. In honour of World Down Syndrome Day, Abilities Arts Festival supporters are invited to attend screenings on Sunday March 14th and 21st at 10am.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS......Internships for Students with Permanent Disabilities
The Canwest Internships for Students with Permanent Disabilities are a series of five (5) internships awarded each year for the next five (5) years designed to encourage and aid Canadian talent in establishing or furthering a career in the Canadian broadcast industry. These annual internships reflect Canwest’s commitment to the diversity of talent and perspectives that comprise our ever-changing Canadian culture. http://www.canwest.com/careers/internship.asp

VSA is seeking emerging filmmakers with disabilities, ages 18-30, who are interested in expanding their knowledge of documentary filmmaking.