Arts & Ability Roundtable (Video Recording), Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Artist in Residency Program

Hello everyone,

Last weekend, as part of the artist-in-residency program through The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, we hosted an Arts & Ability Roundtable. This virtual event brought together 5 unique artists/designers, each with incredible creative practices, and each experience vision loss and/or related disabilities.

Arts & Ability Roundtable: Presentations, Discussions, and Q&A

Our all-star group of panelists, artists, and presenters included:

(1) Kurt Weston, professional artist and photographer,

(2) Marleena Barber, vocalist, educator, and disability advocate,

(3) Mishelle Link, interior designer, entrepreneur, and CEO of Michelle Link Interior Design,

(4) Valerie Alcaraz, award-winning visual artist and international arts and language educator,

and…

(5) Michael J. Dougherty, writer, screenwriter, and co-founder of ReelAbilitiesLA!

Check out the full video replay here.

Much gratitude and many congratulations to the participants!

Very best wishes,

Erin

Voyage LA Article, Erin Schalk Artist Interview

Hello everyone,

As part of the artist in residency program through The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, I’ve had the opportunity to be interviewed by VoyageLA magazine. VoyageLA frequently shares articles on “hidden gems” within the greater Los Angeles area, including artists of all stripes, as well as independent business owners.

Here’s a link to the article: Check Out Erin Schalk’s Story.

Here’s a preview of the interview (full article available in the link above):

“Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Schalk.

Hi Erin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My entire life has been what I call “semi-nomadic,” meaning I’ve found myself living across the continental United States, as well as in Okinawa, Japan. In my early twenties, my world shifted drastically in both wonderful and terrifying ways. I found myself married to the love of my life but also sent across the country, far from family and the home I had known. And each year, my husband was being sent away again and again — oftentimes overseas. Life would continue to catapult me far outside of my comfort zone, stretching me well beyond the tools that I had at my disposal. Art and restorative writing became two of my key coping strategies, providing generous places to process the full spectrum of emotions and fears. In time, I began to feel a magnetic pull toward teaching to share the benefits of a sustained, creative practice with others. I can trace the beginnings of my career as artist, writer, and educator to a steel blue Nissan Cube that I purchased in 2010 in Okinawa, Japan…”

Enjoy!

Very best wishes,

Erin

Check Out Erin Schalk’s Story, Voyage LA Magazine Artist Interview