CVS Caremark All Kids Can and VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, today announced Ethan Coots, from Cumberland Trace Elementary School and Manda Helton from Drakes Creek Middle School, have been selected as Kentucky’s representatives in the 2011 All Kids Can CREATE national touring exhibition, featuring artwork submitted by students, ages 5-15, from each state and the District of Columbia.  Ethan Coots’ artwork, titled “Full of Love” and Manda Helton’s artwork, titled “Reflection of Me” will debut in Washington, DC on June 13.

The 2011 All Kids Can CREATE program launched in November 2010 and invited young artist living with and without disabilities to submit a piece of artwork under the theme, “Imagination Across America.”

More than 4,700 entries from artist across the country were sumitted. An expert panel of judges, including artist and art educators selected 102 students artist to be featured in the exhibition.  All of the artwork submitted this year, from paintings to sculptures to photogaphs, will be included in an online gallery at www.artsonia.com/allkidscancreate.

“We’re so impressed with the passion and creativity represented in Ethan and Manda’s artwork, and it truly captures the spirit of the All Kids Can CREATE program,” said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president of corporate communication and community relations for CVS Caremark.

“Through this program we have helped children of all abilities to use art as a way to express themselves and create positive change in their lives.”

“With our partner CVS Caremark, VSA is showcasing the creative talents of students of all abilities,” commented Jennifer Wexler, VSA director of visual arts.  “We’re excited to share these wonderful works of art with audiences around the country and encourage people of all ages and abilities to tap into their own imagination.”

The All Kids Can CRATE exhbition is just one part of VSA and CVS Caremark’s yearlong partnership which also includes support of state VSA affiliates who encourage learning and community engagement through artistic expression.  Strategic grants at the state level also support artist-in-residence programs in schools that expand access and document learning through the arts for students with disabilties.  CVS Caremark employees also participate by volunteering in activities in their communities and/or schools to help build inclusive environments.

All Kids Can, a program of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and CVS Caremark, is a five-year, $25 million commitment to support children with disabilities.  The goals of All Kids Can are to support children with disabilities by raising awareness in schools and in local communities about the importance of inclusion, creating greater opportunities for physical activity and play, and providing access to medical rehabilitation and related services.  CVS Caremark and its more than 211,000 employees help children with disabilities learn, play and succeed through partnerships with leading local and national nonprofit organizations.  For more information, visit http://www.cvsallkidscan.com.

VSA, the international organization on arts and disbility, was founded more than 35 years ago by ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to provide arts and education opportunities for people with disabilities and increase access to the arts for all.  With 52 international affiliates and network of nationwide affiliates, VSA is changing perceptions about people with disabilities around the world.  Each year, 7 million people of all ages and abilities participate in VSA programs, which cover all artistic genres.  VSA is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  For more information, visit www.vsarts.org.

VSA Kentucky’s purpose is to help create a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. To learn more about VSA Kentucky go to www.vsartsky.org.

VSA Kentucky is a member of the international network of VSA, an affiliate of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to VSA Kentucky with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.