Enjoy outstanding works of art by Wisconsin artists and hear nationally-recognized artist Jon Wos speak about his experiences as an artist and an advocate for artists with disabilities.

Each year, VSA Wisconsin solicits artwork from Wisconsin artists with disabilities.  Artists’ submissions are reviewed by a jury of arts professionals who look for creativity, originality, and craftsmanship. Jurors select ten artworks that will be added to Creative Power: VSA Wisconsin’s Traveling Exhibition.

Jon Wos was born in Lena, Wisconsin, in 1981 and diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Jon’s childhood was filled with fractures, body casts, surgeries, and hospitals. He spent most of his time in bed drawing or making something with his hands. When Jon was a freshman in high school, he received best of show in a student art contest. Then in 2003 was awarded grand prize, of 10,000 dollars, in a national competition for disabled artists. In 2005 Jon received a bachelor of Fine Art, with an emphasis in drawing, painting, and sculpture, from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Jon has exhibited his various forms of artwork throughout North America, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.,the Chicago Cultural Center, and the Joseph D. Carrier Gallery in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition, Mr. Wos’s work is in many private and public collections, including the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Ripon College and Senator of Wisconsin, Herb Kohl.

Jon will also speak on the same day, February 28, 2011, at the Students Advocating Potential Ability (S.A.P.A.) 28th annual Most Accessible Awards Ceremony.