We are thrilled by all of the art submissions coming in for Night of Aphasia Arts on November 2, 2022 — from a performance of “Here Come the Sun” by the Stroke & Aphasia Recovery (STAR) Summer Arts Program to a photo of a beautiful mandala quilt by Donna.

 

You will want to see the fun performance Gabby Giffords and Yo-Yo Ma submitted for the evening (and we hope you’ve gotten a chance to see another piece of art — the aphasia documentary Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down).

 

From individual art to group performance, from amateurs to professionals, this is going to be an evening to remember. We want YOUR creative work included.

Why Art?

Gabby Giffords answers the question, “Why art?” in her video below.

 

 

Music doesn’t directly address Gabby Giffords’ aphasia, but she explains that music makes her feel energized and excited. Yo-Yo Ma understands: “You use music to keep you not only energized but optimistic, and so music is almost a fuel. A resource you can draw on to keep you happy and reaching for a better world.” She can use that energy to tackle her aphasia.

 

That is a perfect way to explain why we are focused on art. Art helps others understand your aphasia, it can energize you and provide fuel for tackling aphasia, and it can aid you in expressing ideas when words fail. In other words, it’s about putting beauty and understanding into the world.

 

Learn how to attend this free event and/or submit your work.

Attend Night of Aphasia Arts

Our free online gala on November 2, 2022, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm ET, will feature recorded performances (musical, theater, dance, or poetry) and give you a sneak peek into our password-protected art space where you can see visual art, photography, or written poetry — all created by people with aphasia.

 

If you cannot attend but you want to see a recording of the event, you will need to RSVP, too.

Click here to RSVP for the event. You will be sent the Zoom link and a few reminders for the event. You only need to RSVP once to receive the Zoom link. We hope you can join us for a fun and meaningful evening. You can submit your art even if you cannot attend the event.

Submit YOUR Art

We want to see your creativity.

 

Use our simple form to submit your art, either as an individual or group. Performance videos should be about three minutes long, and they must be under five minutes. Written poetry should be submitted as a PDF, and visual art or photography can be submitted as a PNG or JPG file. You may have only one submission per category. You do not need to attend the event to have your art featured.

 

The categories:

  • Music (group performance or alone – instrumental or singing)
  • Theater (monologue or short scene)
  • Dance (group performance or alone)
  • Poetry (spoken word performance or submitted in written form)
  • Visual Art (painting, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design)
  • Photography

 

Please do not forget to send your file via email and then return to the form and hit submit. Again, please use the form to submit your art by October 14, 2022. All art submitted after October 14, 2022, at 11:59 pm ET will be held for the next Night of Aphasia Arts event. (Yes, this is just the beginning!)

 

If you have questions, please send them to Melissa at art@aphasia.org.