 |
|
| |
|
 |
| Name |
Kurt Weston |
| City & State |
Huntington Beach, CA |
| Company Name |
Kurt Weston Photo Art |
| Contact Info |
www.kurtweston.com
kurtweston@verizon.net
|
| Disability |
Blind due to complications of HIV/AIDS |
| |
|
| Company Description |
| Art Photographer Video Artist, Advocate and Educator |
|
| |
|
| Year Started |
2002 |
| Startup Costs |
35,000 |
| 2007 Projected Revenue |
variable |
| Startup Fund Sources |
Rehabilitation Program |
|
| |
|
| How Did you Get Started? |
|
As a legally blind artist I have always been committed
to the full inclusion and access to the arts, for artists who are
blind and disabled. For many years I have participated as an artist
and advisor with VSA arts, the National Arts and Disabilities Center,
the California Arts Council and the Society for Disability Studies.
In 2003 I assisted with organizing the groundbreaking “Hire Value
Conferences – careers in the arts for people with disabilities.” In
2005 I coordinated and curated the Shared Visions art exhibition featuring
the art of blind and visually impaired artists at the Southern California
College of Optometry. The Shared Visions exhibitions provides opportunities
for blind artists to exhibit and sell their work and the college has
made it possible for patrons with low vision to fully participate
in the exhibit by providing low vision enhancement devices. In 2006
Shared Visions became an international exhibition. I have also involved
myse!
lf in political action, advocating on Capitol Hill, for the continued
federal funding of the arts in education. |
| |
|
| How does your disability affect or impact your
business? |
| My photographs and video art challenge preconceived
notions of blindness and achieves a new context in which to view blindness
in the visual arts. My work has been featured in the TRANSFORMATIONS
exhibition at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC (June 2006) and again
in the Renascence exhibition (June 2007); the Visualizing TRANS exhibit
at the University of Wisconsin (October 2006); Blind at the Museum
- the Berkley Art Museum (January–July 2005); the annual INSIGHTS
exhibitions, San Francisco City Hall (2000 through 2007), the National
Exhibits By Blind Artists exhibits Philadelphia museum of Art (2003
& 2007); and is in the permanent collection of the Houston Museum
of Fine Art; The AIDS Museum and the Southern California College of
Optometry. I have also had feature articles in National publications
such as A&U, Kaleidoscope, Ability and Unity magazines, as well
as the American Journal of Public Health. |
| |
|
| Your Best Advice |
|
| It is important to honor your skills and
creativity while overcoming the barriers, obstacles and challenges
of producing and exhibiting your art. Being an Artist is not easy
particularly a disabled artist. Use your artistry and disability to
be an inspiration to others and you will attain success. |
| |
|
 |
