079 FIRST ARTS TALK CONFERENCE FOR DISABLED ARTISTS SET FOR OCT. 6-7th AT MTSU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 20, 2006
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Lisa L. Rollins, 615-898-2919

Statewide Event Features Career Forum, State Film Premiere, Speakers

(MURFREESBORO)—MTSU will be the site for Arts Talk, a two-day conference and career forum specifically for artists with disabilities, announced Lori Kissinger, MTSU speech and theatre instructor and a representative for the Tennessee chapter of Vision, Strength and Artistic Expression, also known as VSA arts Tennessee.
Presented by the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) and VSA arts Tennessee in partnership with the National Arts and Disability Center, the statewide event is slated for Oct. 6-7 and designed for disabled artists from every area of the arts—from writers, actors and painters to designers of all kinds and those involved in the recording industry and musical arts.
“The conference is a career forum (that will) focus on professional development and career opportunities for artists with disabilities,” Kissinger remarked. “We will have people on campus discussing social security issues, legal issues, portfolio development and more.”
Lisa Hester, director of arts access for TAC, said the MTSU conference is the first of its kind in the state and its expected to attract at least 200 participants, including artists with disabilities, potential employers, career counselors and educators.
“Other states have hosted career forums, conferences and focus groups, but this is the first time we have done this in Tennessee,” she observed.
Billed as an event that will “allow people to discover their own potential,” Kissinger said both she and Hester have high hopes for the state’s inaugural Arts Talk.
“I like to see people become self-sufficient,” Kissinger said. “I am a big believer in the old saying about teaching a man to fish instead of just giving him a fish. I think so often people want to do something ‘for’ people with disabilities, but this conference will empower people with disabilities so they can do things for themselves.
“All people want to feel independent, responsible, productive and needed,” she continued, “so I’m hoping this conference provides some skills and resources for individuals with disabilities to be able to find productive work in the arts.”
Indeed, agreed Hester, “We will provide artists (with) the skills for creating effective communication tools such as creating résumés and biographies … (and) there will be plenty of networking opportunities.”
In addition to the career forum, the statewide conference will serve as host for nationally recognized actress/writer/teacher Estelle Condra, who will deliver an Oct. 6 keynote address at 12:45 p.m. in the Business Aerospace Building (BAS) at MTSU.
Condra, who is blind as a result of Retinitis Pigmentosa, developed her talents in speech and drama at universities in London and in her native South Africa before moving to the United States in 1973. As a result of losing her eyesight over a period of
years, Condra brings a unique perspective and energy to each of her creative endeavors, report conference organizers.
Condra has written and produced a number of works, including 1976’s “White Warrior,” an acclaimed Bicentennial drama, and 1994’s “Vibrations of Laughter,” which is the story of Annie Sullivan. An award-winning author, she penned “See the Ocean,” a title that was named as winner of American Booksellers Pick of the Lists. Most recently, Condra performed in “Blind People Shouldn’t Vacuum,” an irreverent comedy that was presented at Vanderbilt University earlier this year.
Also among the conference’s highlights will be the Tennessee premiere of “The Goal,” an award-winning film by filmmaker Darla Rae that stars MTSU alumna Laura Dodd, from 4-6 p.m. Oct 6 in MTSU’s Tucker Theatre.
Called “the ultimate underdog story,” the film has garnered three awards at international festivals. According to press materials, “’The Goal’ chronicles the lives of two athletes who are on an adrenaline track, one to the Olympics and the other to the world of pro soccer.”
The film’s main characters, Steve and Jason, cross paths during a time when each is working to rebuild their lives following severe accidents. And during the course of the film, filmmaker Rae illustrates how “tragedy affects everyone, not just the inured.”
Following the free screening, filmmaker Rae and actress Dodd will participate in a question-and-answer session regarding the film. Also, copies of “The Goal,” $15 each, will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting VSA arts Tennessee, Hester said.
REGISTRATION: Participants may register to attend the event 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 6 and 8 -11 a.m. Oct. 7 in the BAS. Although the event is free, a $25 refundable registration fee is required, report event organizers.
• For more information about Arts Talk, including daily scheduled activities and speakers, please contact Hester (lisa.hester@satte.tn.us) at 615-532-9797 or Kissinger (userk7706@aol.com) at 615-826-5252. Information also is available online at the TAC Web site, www.arts.state.tn.us .

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*****ATTENTION, MEDIA: For a jpeg of filmmaker Darla Rae, or to schedule an interview with the filmmaker, Hester or Kissinger, please contact Lisa L. Rollins in the Office of News and Public Affairs at MTSU at lrollins@mtsu.edu or by calling 615-898-2919.
For more information about keynote speaker Estelle Condra, please access her Web site at www.estellecondra.com. Interview requests for Ms. Condra may be sent to Estelle@estellecondra.com or by calling 615-383-1065.