Resume

Jessica Emma Vohs

 

Due to the atypical nature of my education, I am beginning with a brief narrative to set the context.  My experience as a person with disabilities unable to speak, write independently, or walk has greatly influenced me.  Unable to speak or communicate through writing without assistance, I was unable to demonstrate my intelligence. Therefore, most of my schooling took place in non-academic classes, focused on functional skills.  I was completely excluded from typical academic classes. When I was 21, Facilitated Communication opened a way for me to communicate my thoughts.  Once others discovered my intelligence, the door opened for me to begin to get an academic education.  Unfortunately, that discovery did not come until the end of my high school days.  But during my last year at high school, I was finally allowed to enroll in a typical social studies class and got a B+. I have not been able to get transcripts for my other classes because they were done under the auspices of special education through an IEP. Therefore, even though I have received a High School diploma, it is mainly due to the fact that I met my IEP goals.

 

In 1992, I began what turned out to be a long process to join City Year, a Boston community service project, and now part of AmeriCorps.  After intensive advocacy, which necessitated contacting the U.S. Justice Department, I was finally admitted to City Year, a member of the inaugural class of AmeriCorps.  I used my stipend from AmeriCorps to pay for classes at Massachusetts College of Art, The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Kaji Aso Studio in Boston.  Since that time I have continued my studies and been active with VSA Arts, won awards, presented at many festivals and art shows.  At this time, I am trying to become a degree student at Mass. College of Art.  This process is difficult because of the paucity of my academic education.  I have recently begun to set up a small business, JessiArts, to show and sell my art.  Following is a summary of my accomplishments:

 

Education

1995 – 1992       Massachusetts Hospital School, Canton, Massachusetts (non-academic

                           program)

1990 – 1993       Brookline High School (part time), Graduated with Diploma, 1993

1994 – 1995       Participant in City Year, AmeriCorps, and graduated in 1995

1995 – Present Art Classes at Massachusetts College of Art

1995 – 1996       Art classes at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

1995 – Present  Regular and private art classes at the Kaji Aso Studio,, Boston

1995 – Present  Private instructions in watercolor and calligraphy from Kate

                           Finnegan, student of Professor Aso

2001 – Present  Private instruction in handpainting silk from professional artist, Gail Davis

                   

Exhibits and Awards

2004           Artwork included in Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission 2004 Calendar entitled  “Navigating Your Own Success”

2004   Watercolor Paintings and Poems on Exhibit at Gallery Nature and Temptation    Show “Dreaming Cricket”

2003   Artwork Included in Kaji Aso Studio 30th Anniversary Exhibition at the Prudential Center, Boston, over a three-week period

2003    Artwork selected to promote the theme “Possibilities” on all advertisement, conference booklets, agenda, posters and other displays for the 2003 National        Conference of TASH, held at the Hilton Chicago; 3000 attendees

2003      Featured artist for display and presentation of art works at the Arc of Northern Bristol County Annual Dinner and Gala

2002      Recipient of Arc Massachusetts Distinguished Citizen Award, Ceremony at Massachusetts State House

2002      Mass. House of Representatives, Official Citation of Congratulations for Personal Achievement and Self-Determination

2002       Mass. State Senate, Official Citation for Personal Achievement and Dedication

2002       (The Association for Persons with Severe Disabilities) International Conference, Boston

2002       Artwork selected for promotional materials for TASH 2003 Annual Conference “Possibilities,” Chicago

2002        Published booklet of poetry, “Night Wind,” and included in Night Wind poetry book of Gallery Nature and Temptation

2003      Exhibited at New England Abilities Expo, VSA Special Events Artists’ Program. Boston

2002      Featured artist at six-week single-artist exhibit at Paragon Properties, 99 Summer St., Downtown Boston

2002      Regular contributor of poetry and painting for exhibits at Gallery Nature and Temptation, Boston, including “Silver Snow” Winter Festival of the Arts, “Star Festival” summer symposium; among others; poetry included in published booklets and in “Dasoku” newsletters

2002      One of seven artists to exhibit in “Seven Visions,” a Mass. VSA Arts Exhibit at Harvard University’s Gutman Library

2001      Exhibit at State House, Boston, and recipient of “Certificate of Recognition” from Mass. DMR Commissioner

2001   Art selected by the Federation for Children with Special Needs for its annual fundraiser gala invitations and promotional materials; designs also used for thank-you cards

2000   Selected for Juried Exhibit in 9th Annual ADA Exhibition “Spirit of the ADA: Celebrating Disability Culture in the New Millennium,” at Federal Plaza, New York City, sponsored by Independent Arts Gallery, NY.

2000      Commissioned by Outdoor Explorations to paint the Schooner Ernestina for its annual fundraiser for auctioning the original painting

1999      Commissioned by the Arc of Northern Bristol County to produce art for its 40th Anniversary Celebration Invitations

1999   Received the ARC of Northern Bristol County 40th Anniversary  “Going the Distance and Making a Difference” Award

1998      Exhibited at TASH International Conference, Chicago

 

1994 to present: Regular participant in juried art and craft fair, Coolidge Corner, Brookline; regular participant in VSA Massachusetts exhibits; regular exhibitor at Gallery Nature and Temptation shows; regular contributor of framed original and limited-edition prints to nonprofit organizations for fundraising purposes.

 

1994 to present: In addition to artistic activities, I have participated in conferences and presentations about my experiences as a disabled person who was institutionalized, and in many ADAPT actions to help bring about community-living opportunities for people with disabilities.

 

Interests/Goals: Continue to develop my artwork and help the wold recognize what is really going on with disabled people, especially people who are assumed to have little to say or contribute because they are unable to speak or communicate independently.  I want to attend college regularly and get a BFA degree. I intend to remain an active member of ADAPT and advocate for disability rights.