Creative Campus

The Creative Campus Assembly Arts Ambassadors hosted "The Unbound Art Show" which was sponsored in part by the Kennedy Center’s VSA arts of Alabama as well as the University of Alabama’s Office of Disability Services. This event was the first of its kind on the University of Alabama campus, as well as the first time VSA arts of Alabama or ODS had partnered with an student organization in this capacity. Mounted on the walls within historic Maxwell Hall, The Unbound Art Show consisted of various works of art created by University of Alabama students and individuals within the community and state. Along with this showcase, renowned blind Alabama artist Ricky Trione displayed many of his original pieces, some created specifically for this inaugural show. Unbound drew in visitors from all age, social, and economic groups. It brought together not only the University of Alabama campus but also the Tuscaloosa Community. For reasons such as this, Creative Campus intern Michael Wynn, the Creative Campus Assembly, and the Unbound Art Show were honored with a "Premier Award" by the University of Alabama Council on Community-Based Partnerships for Outstanding Student-Initiated Engagement Efforts for 2008-2009. This award will help to see to it that Unbound is an event that is here to stay.

This art show was the first event in what will be an annual series. Both the Office of Disability Services as well as VSA arts of Alabama are already ready to move forward with plans for the next Unbound Art Show. The Assembly plans to bring in more VSA sponsored artists, like Ricky Trione, as well as opening up the show to an even larger pool of potential applicants. A larger venue is also already being prepared to ensure that these amazing artists receive the recognition that they deserve.