January 29, 2009

Twenty-four colorful pieces of artwork, created by Alabama children who are blind, deaf-blind and visually impaired will be on display at a reception for the 2009 UAB Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama on Sunday. Several of the young artists, along with their teachers and parents, will attend the reception and learn which artist will receive the grand prize, the Patty Johnson Award.

The event will take place at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, David Vann Gallery, 520 16th St. N., on Sunday, February 1 from 3-5 p.m.

The 2009 UAB Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama will feature art work that is unique with an emphasis on creativity, color and tactile media. The works were selected from among 56 entries in the Helen Keller Art Contest, which was held earlier this year. The 24 winning entries will go on tour this year to six museums and libraries in Birmingham, Shelby County, Mobile, Dothan, Tuscumbia and Auburn. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is the first stop in the tour.

The Patty Johnson Award winner's artwork will be put on permanent display at the Ivy Green Property in Tuscumbia, Helen Keller's birthplace. The Patty Johnson award is named after Patty Johnson, the niece of Helen Keller. The art show organizers have dedicated the show to Johnson's memory.

Also, five other Purchase award winners will be selected by the Colbert County Board of Tourism, the Eyesight Foundation of Alabama, the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital, the UAB School of Education, and a Purchase Award in honor of Dr. Catherine "Kate" Nelson. The Helen Keller Art Show was established in 1983 and is co-sponsored by the UAB School of Education, the UAB School of Optometry and the UAB Vision Science Research Center Education and Outreach Module.

For more information, contact Diane Pevsner (317-1712) or Carol Allison (612-0089)