Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

American Printing House has a big goal: a future that belongs to everyone. For more than 160 years APH has created products that provide access for people who are blind or low vision. To create a world that welcomes everyone, we know it's going to take a lot of change makers. Join us as we highlight the people who are making the biggest difference in our field. We'll talk to everyone from CEOs to students. Know someone we should highlight? Email communications@aph.org.

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Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

2024 APH Annual Meeting

October 10, 2024 • American Printing House • Episode 108

APH’s Annual Meeting is always a great time to meet colleagues, make connections, and learn tips and tricks from others in the blindness field. Hear from various attendees, award winners and InSights Artists on this recap of Annual Meeting.

Participants

Attendees
Award Winners
InSights Artists

Additional Links

Narrator: 0:00

<silence> Welcome to Change Makers , a podcast from APH. We're talking to people from around the world who are creating positive change in the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. Here's your host.

Sara Brown: 0:15

Hello and welcome to Changemakers. I'm a P h's Public Relations manager, Sarah Brown . And on this episode of Changemakers, we're recapping a's 156 annual meeting up. First we're gonna hear from a few of the conference attendees, so if you just wanna tell me your name and who you're with. Okay.

Donna Earley: 0:35

My name is Donna Earley. I'm with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. Oh,

Sara Brown: 0:40

Okay. Well welcome and welcome to APH'S Annual Meeting. Um, how has the meeting been for you so far?

Donna Earley: 0:45

Oh, I think this is one of the best meetings really in a while. I've been in EOT since 2004, so this has been a really great meeting. Um, the layout is much better. There's a lot more room. Um , the food has been phenomenal

Sara Brown: 1:01

<laugh> . And are there any sessions that you've attended so far that stick out in your mind?

Donna Earley: 1:06

There are just so many of them . Um , the one that really stuck out in my mind was one that Leanne did yesterday. Well , we were talking about different ways that we could improve things and what, what could make a difference in us teaching our students. Um, I work with an adult population, so that's a little bit different from what some of the others had. Okay. But yeah , she , um, she just did a , a great job. She made us think <laugh>, so.

Sara Brown: 1:40

Okay. And my final question , um, is there anything else you'd like to share or let our listeners know before I let you go back to finish and join Annual Meeting?

Donna Earley: 1:48

No, I would just like to thank all of the APH staff. They have done a phenomenal job. It's a lot of hard work that goes into this and I don't think people realize what it takes to put one of these meetings together, but everyone on a PH staff should be commended for a job Well done.

Sara Brown: 2:07

Oh , well thank you. And thank you so much Donna, and have a wonderful rest of your Annual Meeting.

Donna Earley: 2:11

Thank you.

Sara Brown: 2:12

Let me get your name and who you're with.

Dr. Antonio McGee: 2:14

Hi , uh, my name is Dr. Antonio McGee . I'm with Mississippi Schools for of Deaf and Blind , and I'm an EOT. Oh,

Sara Brown: 2:20

Wonderful. You're everything. Cool. Well, welcome to APH'S. Annual meeting. I know it's kind of early in the morning, but let me ask you some of the sessions that you've been to and some of the things that you've learned. What are your thoughts so far? Overall?

Dr. Antonio McGee: 2:31

Uh, overall the conference is great. This is my, actually my fourth year attending and I'm excited every year to come and gain valuable information regarding , uh, accessibility textbooks, technology and things to improve our, our for students at our school and , uh, instructional needs really. So.

Sara Brown: 2:52

Alright . And what are, what are your thoughts on some of the sessions that you've attended?

Dr. Antonio McGee: 2:56

They have been quite informative , um, to see, like one of the sessions I went to, to hear about the new products that are coming out , uh, the improvement of some of the accessibility of some of those products , uh, to look at the, the whole gamut of how things are transitioning , uh, where things were once old and might be a prehistoric and how technology has increased and updated and made things a little bit more easier for adults, students .

Sara Brown: 3:23

Exactly. Yeah . And that's what we love to hear. Now is there any takeaways that you're looking forward to implementing when you get back home?

Dr. Antonio McGee: 3:30

The Monarch,

Sara Brown: 3:31

Everybody is excited for that. Everybody

Dr. Antonio McGee: 3:33

Everybody is excited about the Monarch. I ordered my first one, I have it in my office. And to be able to, to go and listen to the presenters talk about it and to go and actually implement it to learn more about it before I started disseminating it out to the , the public school , I've been excited and to enjoy those sessions.

Sara Brown: 3:52

And do you have any words of wisdom to share for anybody out there listening, maybe that's a TVI or wanting to be an EOT, anybody that wants to be where you are today, do you have any words of wisdom or anything else you wanna share about Annual Meeting?

Dr. Antonio McGee: 4:04

Uh, patience. Always be open to changes and continue to study and growth in your area of expertise. Alright .

Sara Brown: 4:11

Thank you so much Dr. McGee.

Dr. Antonio McGee: 4:13

Thank you.

Sara Brown: 4:14

Would you like to let us know your name and who you're with?

Kevin Kline: 4:17

I'm Kevin Klein and I'm , uh, the Community Engagement Rep at GoodMaps.

Sara Brown: 4:22

Okay. And talk about what GoodMaps is doing here at Annual Meeting. You all have a table on display and letting people know, but let us know a little bit more about what you're doing here at APH's Annual Meeting.

Kevin Kline: 4:31

Yeah , so we , uh, do have a table for the solutions hall and I was able to present , uh, this afternoon for some people about good maps, but we're also providing , uh, the first and second floor of the Marriott with accessible indoor navigation.

Sara Brown: 4:45

Yes. Now for those who do not know what GoodMaps is, would you like to let them know so they can understand and possibly download the indoor navigation app?

Kevin Kline: 4:53

Yes . So we provide , uh, turn by turn real-time directions on Android or iPhones. Um, and we are in 10 different countries now. So we are in places such as , uh, schools, universities , uh, airports, rail stations throughout all of those 10 countries. So if you download good maps, you can go through our directory and see what's nearest to you and go check it out. It'll use your phone's camera to get you wherever you want to go.

Sara Brown: 5:19

Talk about the importance of the having the indoor navigation in a, in a building or an airport, anything.

Kevin Kline: 5:24

Yeah. So , uh, compare it to a Google or Apple Maps that people use to , uh, drive from city to city. Well, someone like myself who is a blind individual, we need that in any large building. I can have mobility skills, but that doesn't mean I know where I'm going. So to be able to pull out my phone and say, take me to the nearest restroom , um, it's game changing and uh , takes you anywhere you wanna go.

Sara Brown: 5:49

Absolutely. And before I let you go, is there anything else you would like to share, whether it be about your time at annual meeting or for good maps?

Kevin Kline: 5:56

Yeah, and uh, I am thankful to be here at , uh, APH's Annual Meeting. And I wanna say from a community standpoint, I , uh, do run a Facebook page for good maps , uh, for the users. So that is called GoodMaps User Community on Facebook. And anything , uh, if there's any buildings near you that you'd like to try and get mapped out, please contact me on there or at community@goodmaps.com.

Sara Brown: 6:19

Alright Kevin, thank you so much for talking to me on ChangeMakers.

Kevin Kline: 6:22

Thank you much.

Sara Brown: 6:24

Alright , can I get you just to let, give us your name and let us know where you're from?

La'Stasha Kellogg: 6:29

Yeah. Hi, my name is Lestasha Kellogg . I am from Oregon. I work for Oregon Corrections Enterprise and we are starting up a braille transcription service at Oregon State Penitentiary.

Sara Brown: 6:38

Okay. And then how about you?

Jennifer Merry: 6:39

Hello, I'm Jennifer Mary , I'm the director of the Ogden Resource Center in Washington State at the Washington State School for the Blind.

Sara Brown: 6:46

Wonderful. Well thank you all so much for coming on this podcast and talking to me. And my first question I always like to ask is, what are your thoughts on annual meetings so far? We'll go with La'Stasha.

La'Stasha Kellogg: 6:56

I love the opportunity to meet people in this field. I love being a resource to people that I meet who are, have a ton of questions. 'cause I've been working in the vision field for about 10 years now. Um, I also love , uh, talking to people and being able to learn from them. So I think that that's the best part is getting together as a group and learning from each other.

Sara Brown: 7:14

Now, before we started this interview, you said this was your first Annual Meeting. So what are your thoughts if we are in a brand new hotel this year too? What are your thoughts since you've never been to any of the previous ones at another hotel?

La'Stasha Kellogg: 7:26

I am having so much fun. This hotel's absolutely beautiful. It's amazing. I love being here. I do wish we get to, I do wish that we were able to see APH and the facility there, but I, I do love it here. It's an amazing facility and this has been an absolute great experience. And

Sara Brown: 7:43

Then Jennifer, what are your thoughts on a PH so far?

Jennifer Merry: 7:47

Oh, it's been great. Once again, I went to the prison forum and that was inspiring for usual. And , um, I like this venue. It is , um, seems pretty well laid out and doesn't feel very crowded at all, which I do like that. Um, I was very used to that old Hyatt, but this is a , a lovely venue. I like the change.

Sara Brown: 8:04

And then my final question I'll ask you both is do you have anything else you would like to share before I let you all go?

Jennifer Merry: 8:10

Oh, it's just been great to reconnect with people and to get to know people like La'Stasha and , uh, move things forward. So I'm glad to be here. Thank you.

Sara Brown: 8:18

All right. Well thank you ladies both so much.

La'Stasha Kellogg: 8:20

Thank you so much.

Jennifer Merry: 8:21

Thank you.

Sara Brown: 8:22

Let me get your name and just let us know who you are with.

Nabiha Mujahid: 8:25

Hi, I'm Nabiha . I'm with Robin King from Louisiana. Okay,

Sara Brown: 8:29

Well welcome. Thank you . And what are your thoughts so far on Annual Meeting?

Nabiha Mujahid: 8:34

I love collaborating with everyone and I feel so empowered.

Sara Brown: 8:38

Yeah. And inspired. What about some of the sessions you've been to? Is there anything you're looking forward to implementing when you get back home?

Nabiha Mujahid: 8:45

Absolutely. Uh , we went to the Braille Prison forum and that was just , uh, I'm so excited to grow our own Angola Braille program. Mm-Hmm . We , uh, collaborated. We have all these great ideas and we cannot wait to go back and implement them ourselves.

Sara Brown: 9:02

Now my final question I always like to ask everybody is, is there anything else you wanna share or let our listeners know, whether it be about annual meeting your time here or at your own program?

Nabiha Mujahid: 9:12

Well, I absolutely love APH uh , especially the textbooks department. They keep up with Robin and our and our sassiness and we are feisty and they do a great job with that. So thank you so much.

Sara Brown: 9:25

All alright, well thank you so much for talking to me on Change Makers.

Nabiha Mujahid: 9:28

Thank you so much.

Sara Brown: 9:29

Up next we're talking to award winners. I spoke to the Wings of Freedom winners and that's Kim Charleson and Dr. Judith Dixon.

Kim Charleson: 9:39

Hi, I am Kim Charleson and I'm the executive director of the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library, which is the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled affiliate in the state of Massachusetts.

Sara Brown: 9:52

Wonderful. And Kim, how does it feel? You're receiving, you're receiving the Wings of Freedom Award, you and Judith Dixon. How does it feel to receive that award tonight?

Kim Charleson: 10:03

Well, I'm very, very honored. That's just an understatement from the bottom of my heart. It's, it's amazing. The recognition is incredible and I think about what APH has meant to me throughout my career. But, but then I was able to think about it from what it meant to me as an 11-year-old who lost my sight at that age. Yep . Um, learning maps and there was a tactile globe that meant a lot to me while I was in junior high at the Oregon School for the Blind. And then I went to public high school and I had all my textbooks from APH and my Crabner abacus and just all the tools that, you know, hadn't thought about for such a long time until this award came along. And then I said APH meant a lot to me as a kid. And, you know , and it still obviously does with so many wonderful things that cross over into the library world, like the narrators of all the marvelous talking books, the braille transcribers, the tactile graphics people and the assistive technology that a PH is doing. Those are all passions of mine. And I could just, I couldn't be more proud to get this award and, and have a connection so strong with APH.

Sara Brown: 11:21

And before I let you go, I always like to ask, is there anything else you would like to share with our listeners out there? Yes ,

Kim Charleson: 11:28

Well I just, again, you know, my passion and my career has been in the field of literacy, braille literacy, information access and assistive technology. And, you know, to be honored by an organization that takes all these things into consideration, it's just, it feels like such a marvelous fit to me. And I, again, I couldn't be more honored. So thank you so much. Alright ,

Sara Brown: 11:52

Kim, thank you so much for talking to me. Sure. Hi, Dr. Judith Dixon and congratulations on your award tonight. How does it feel receiving tonight's award with Kim Charleson?

Dr. Judith Dixon: 12:03

Uh , it's wonderful. I , Kim is actually a good friend of mine, long time friend of mine. And , uh, so just hanging out with her just seems , seems like old times.

Sara Brown: 12:13

And what does this award mean to you?

Dr. Judith Dixon: 12:15

It's, it's really an honor. I, I mean, anything to do with braille is great and I have so much respect for a PH. The fact that APH would give me an award is , uh, especially wonderful.

Sara Brown: 12:27

And my last question, I always like to ask, what would you say to anybody out there listening? Is there anything you would like to share or any takeaways?

Dr. Judith Dixon: 12:36

I keep thinking that all these people probably already know how important braille is and how valuable braille is. And I, I'm keep working on thinking up something that I can say about Braille that hasn't already been said <laugh> and that these people may not already know, but I haven't thought of it yet.

Sara Brown: 12:57

I'm sure it'll come to you soon. All right . Well, Dr. Judith Dixon , thank you so much for talking to me and congratulations again on your award. Thanks

Dr. Judith Dixon: 13:04

Very much.

Sara Brown: 13:06

I also spoke to Horizon Award winner Mr. Ted Henter.

Ted Henter: 13:11

Uh , my name's Ted Henter. I am , uh, a founder of Henter Joyce, which is a company that developed JAWS, which was bought by Freedom Scientific and then now it's Vispero. So I've been involved in it with Access Technology since , uh, 1979.

Sara Brown: 13:27

You're receiving the Horizon Award. How does that feel to receive an award like that?

Ted Henter: 13:32

Well, I think it's, I it feels terrific. I'm very honored and proud of that. And I noticed on the previous award winners with two friends of mine, Gilles Pepin and Dean Blaze, two very important people in this industry, so I'm very proud to be on the same list as them.

Sara Brown: 13:48

Wonderful. Is there anything you would like to let our listeners know before I let you go?

Ted Henter: 13:53

Well, Sara , uh, I was a motorcycle racer, not a race car driver.

Sara Brown: 13:57

Okay. Yes, yes.

Ted Henter: 13:58

But I was blinded in a car accident 'cause I forgot to put on my seatbelt and I forgot to drive on the left in England, <laugh> . And then I was the world champion blind water skier. And I've done some snow skiing, but very not very good at snow skiing. I paddled through the Panama Canal 17 times. That's a race from the Atlantic Pacific. And just a , a variety of, oh, I have a brown belt in martial arts. Just a variety of other activities besides developing software.

Sara Brown: 14:31

And is there anything else you'd like to share for our listeners out there?

Ted Henter: 14:34

I think that's it. All right .

Sara Brown: 14:35

A man of many talents. Ted, thank you so much and it's nice to, to talk to you again .

Ted Henter: 14:39

Okay, likewise. Take care. Take care .

Sara Brown: 14:42

I also spoke to the recipient of the Navigator Award. The organization that's receiving this award is the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. And Mark Riccobono, Executive Director of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and adults spoke to me, President Riccobono. Congratulations on your award tonight. Would you like to let our listeners know what the award was about?

Mark Riccobono: 15:07

Uh, sure. Well , uh, the , uh, APH Navigator Award was to acknowledge the work of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and adults. I serve as executive director of that agency. It's , uh, entity that was founded in 1919 to provide , uh, help to blind people. And since that time it has , uh, primarily focused on braille literacy, tactile fluency, and providing free materials to , uh, blind children and adults and deaf-blind children and adults to , uh, fill gaps where other , uh, agencies and service providers may not be providing , uh, braille literacy and accessible materials.

Sara Brown: 15:53

Alright . And tell me, what does that award mean to you? I mean, this is a huge honor.

Mark Riccobono: 15:56

Yeah. Well I think , uh, the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults has worked , um, very quietly in the background without fanfare to , uh, make a difference in the lives of blind people. And I think the recognition , uh, is important for the Action Fund because it really hasn't , uh, been a great self-promoter. It, its role has just been to do good work. Uh, it has a board , uh, of , uh, officers and members that are all blind people just trying to make good things happen for blind people. So the recognition by the American Printing House, very significant since , uh, I would say the American Printing House for the Blind is the most visible , uh, outward facing , uh, entity that everybody knows in the country in terms of providing braille and accessible materials. So.

Sara Brown: 16:52

And is there anything else you would like to let our listeners know? Is there anything else you'd like to share, whether it be about this award or with NFB <laugh> ? No ,

Mark Riccobono: 16:59

I would say , uh, I would invite anybody to learn about the American Action fund@actionfund.org. Uh, especially our free braille books and the other work that we do. Uh, and we invite ideas about what else we should be doing to make a difference in the lives of blind people. So whether you're an educator or a blind person, a blind adult out there, we're interested in knowing , um, where the opportunities and needs are. And we look forward to continuing to work with folks in the field. Alright .

Sara Brown: 17:31

President Riccobono, thank you so much.

Mark Riccobono: 17:33

Absolutely, thank you.

Sara Brown: 17:34

Also, Mark Riccobono is president of NFB, the National Federation of the Blind. The recipient of the Louis Award was Duxbury Systems. I spoke with Peter Sullivan, Duxbury Systems Vice President of Software Development this award tonight. How does it sort of cap like, encompass everything that Duxbury is and all of your hard work as well?

Peter Sullivan: 17:59

Well, it's, it's about promoting braille and , uh, so it's , it's nice that a PH recognizes that we do that. I don't know that anybody does it better than APH but you know, it's nice that we have a part and that's really what we do.

Sara Brown: 18:11

Alright . Would you like to share what Duxbury does?

Peter Sullivan: 18:13

Well, we're software developers. We make products for Braille transcription. We do some OEM work, but really our core customers are teachers of the Blind and transcribers of braille.

Sara Brown: 18:22

And how long has Duxbury been around?

Peter Sullivan: 18:24

Since 1975. 49 years now.

Sara Brown: 18:27

Wow. And how does that feel?

Peter Sullivan: 18:29

<laugh> tiring but also really amazing.

Sara Brown: 18:33

And , is there anything else you'd like to share with our listeners?

Peter Sullivan: 18:36

Well only, I hope that you all have a wonderful Annual Meeting and I a very productive one. Alright ,

Sara Brown: 18:41

Peter, thank you so very much for talking to me for Change Makers. Thank

Peter Sullivan: 18:44

You. You're welcome.

Sara Brown: 18:46

In the two special people that were inducted into the Hall of Fame, Dr. Jane Erin and Mr. Tuck Tinsley.

Dr. Jane Erin: 18:53

Hi, I'm Jane Erin from University of Arizona. Uh , actually , uh, retired from University of Arizona.

Sara Brown: 19:02

Okay, well congratulations on getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. How does it feel to be in that group of leaders and legends in the blindness field?

Dr. Jane Erin: 19:12

So it makes me proud to be part of that , that group and the fact that they can , um, identify unique needs and unique talents. And I think we've come a long way since , uh, the way the field was when I entered it way back in 1971. So it's , I'm very proud to see how Father , well

Sara Brown: 19:32

Congratulations. Before I let you go, is there anything you would like to share to anybody listening to this episode of Change Makers ?

Dr. Jane Erin: 19:39

I think one of the most important things is for people to realize that , um, the objective is not simply to give information or to give , um, materials, but rather to have opportunities for children and adults who are blind or low vision to learn from one another. Um , to go beyond simply learning from a teacher or a book, but rather move into the , um, into the field with the knowledge that most , um, most skills can be accomplished by somebody. Whether they have low vision or whether they're blind. Uh , if they have the appropriate materials, the appropriate instruction, and know what kinds of materials are out there.

Sara Brown: 20:32

Alright . Okay. Well, Dr . Erin, thank you so much and congratulations again.

Dr. Jane Erin: 20:36

Oh, thank you very much.

Sara Brown: 20:38

I'm talking to Tuck Tinsley. Hello and welcome. Thank you . And congratulations on your award tonight. Tell me, how does it feel receiving, you're receiving a Hall of Fame induction. That's right . So how does it feel to be inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Tuck Tinsley: 20:50

I appreciate it very much. Look forward to receiving it.

Sara Brown: 20:53

And you have a bit of a deep connection to APH understand. Would you like to let our listeners know?

Tuck Tinsley: 20:58

Uh, I was at APH 28 years as president and retired in 2017.

Sara Brown: 21:03

Wonderful. And how does it feel being inducted into this Hall of Fame?

Tuck Tinsley: 21:08

Exciting, exciting .

Sara Brown: 21:09

Anything else else you'd like to share with our listeners? Yeah ,

Tuck Tinsley: 21:11

Uh, they're only giving me five minutes to speak, so that's gonna be tough.

Sara Brown: 21:15

Exactly. And well, I'm giving you this time on this podcast. Is there anything else you'd like to say?

Tuck Tinsley: 21:22

No. I'm, I'm very happy and I appreciate it.

Sara Brown: 21:25

Thank you . Thank you so much Tuck. Nice... it's nice to meet you. And congratulations. After the award ceremony, the insights artists started to arrive and I got to speak with a few of them. Uh , first I spoke with Insights Art coordinator Meg Outland. Hello Meg. How's everything going so far?

Meg Outland: 21:41

It's going wonderfully.

Sara Brown: 21:43

So tell us about what some are , some of the exhibits one can see if they come to InSights Art.

Meg Outland: 21:49

So we have anywhere between 80 to 90 artworks in the gallery this year. We have a lot of 2D artworks and we actually have quite a few ceramic and sculptures as well. And if you all take a peek around and decide to stop by, a lot of them are food themed. <laugh> , there's a theme going on around, so be on the lookout for that.

Sara Brown: 22:10

I've noticed that I've seen, you know, replicas of McDonald's french fries and pancakes and there's a milkshake. Was there a theme that was sent out or is this just what they're sending in?

Meg Outland: 22:23

A lot of students that sent the adorable food artworks are from the New York Institute in the Bronx, so that must have been , um, an aesthetic choice done this year. But I love them. And then some of them actually smell like chocolate too. We have a milkshake that smells like chocolate. I'm not sure if that was intentional, but I love it.

Sara Brown: 22:39

<laugh> , no . Talk about some of the, the kids that are making these and adults that are making this artwork, they are also blind or low vision. Um, talk about how this art impacts their lives.

Meg Outland: 22:52

Yeah, so art is already a field that's extremely underrepresented and then when you bring in creative individuals who are blind or low vision, that representation just dwindles even further. So it's really amazing that these folks have an outlet to share their creations with folks. It , it's just absolutely amazing. It's beautiful.

Sara Brown: 23:15

And now talk about the ceremony tonight. What can people expect at that or by the time this podcast airs it will have already happened, but just tell us what's gonna happen at this InSights Art ceremony. For people that are attending.

Meg Outland: 23:27

There's a lot of goodies in store from 3:45 to 4:45, we're gonna do a meet and greet with the artists that are in town this week. So if folks are interested, they'll come by to the gallery and meet some of those artists, maybe some of the artists that they've purchased their own artworks from. And then , um, at five o'clock the ceremony will be again and Jessica Minneci, a colleague of mine and I will be reading visual descriptions, describing each artwork on stage. And then those artists who are actually in town this week will be able to come up and get their award and a ribbon or a certificate and have recognition from the audience. And it's just such a lively experience. And then afterwards we're gonna have hor d'oeuvres and we're gonna be able to party and hang out a little bit.

Sara Brown: 24:08

Now talk about that recognition for these artists. How important is that , that they feel recognized and seen in this world of art as, as they are meeting the definitions of blindness?

Meg Outland: 24:19

Representation matters more than anything and I think being able to receive that opportunity, especially from a group of individuals who are familiar with the field, who do all sorts of different careers within the field, is just such an amazing experience to be able to say, okay, these folks are here for me every day and now I get to show them what I've created.

Sara Brown: 24:42

And for those listening that are interested in participating in Insights Art next year, what information do you have for InSights Art 2025?

Meg Outland: 24:50

Yeah, so as soon as annual meeting will wrap up, I'll begin sending entry forms out and be sure to look on the Insights Art website. That's insights r.org . But um, be sure to check on the website. We'll have a student entry form for preschool through uh , 12th grade. And then we also have an adult entry form and that's for 2D sculpture and craft. And craft can include anything between jewelry, knitting, quilting, it's a whole array of different subjects.

Sara Brown: 25:20

Before I let you go, the last question I always ask, is there anything else you'd like to share about Insights Art or a PH annual meeting? Overall,

Meg Outland: 25:26

Have fun, mingle. It's a great opportunity to meet the folks that you talk to every day online and be able to actually visit and meet them in person. <laugh> .

Sara Brown: 25:34

That is true. Okay Meg, thank you so much for talking to me and yeah, enjoy the rest of InSights Art and Annual Meeting.

Meg Outland: 25:41

Have fun.

Sara Brown: 25:41

Now let's hear from some of the InSights Artists.

Quaia Fagan: 25:45

My name is Quaia Fagan . I am from Atlanta, Georgia. Okay,

Sara Brown: 25:50

Well welcome to InSights Art. Would you like to tell me about the art that you submitted for insights?

Quaia Fagan: 25:56

Sure. Uh, I made a , um, house that , um, I made a house that looks like it's made outta stone. I used egg , the egg carton to make the stone pieces and we glued them on and then I did a , um, break roof .

Sara Brown: 26:14

Oh, wonderful. Now talk about art. How does it feel to have yours on display?

Quaia Fagan: 26:19

Amazing. 'cause growing up as a child I would never thought I would be at this point.

Sara Brown: 26:26

And what do you mean by that?

Quaia Fagan: 26:28

Uh, so with me , uh, I've been sick, sick and in and outta hospitals this for a long time. Mm-Hmm. <affirmative> . So I didn't never think I would get to experience none of this

Sara Brown: 26:39

Really. So what is your favorite part so far?

Quaia Fagan: 26:44

Uh, getting to experience at a different , um, level than other people because I didn't think I would get to live to see this point because of the last time I was in the hospital. I was in there for two years. Oh

Sara Brown: 26:57

My. Well I'm, I'm glad to see you surviving and thriving. Yeah . And I I good luck tonight at InSights. Okay. Mm-Hmm . <affirmative> , thank you so much for talking to me. And then how about you sir? Let me get your name and where you're from. Okay.

Tyree Haw: 27:11

Um , my name's Tyree Haw and I'm from Atlanta , Georgia.

Sara Brown: 27:15

Okay. And can you talk about the piece that you submitted for InSights Art?

Tyree Haw: 27:19

Uh , okay. Uh , I, I made my house out of my house is made out of bricks. Oh . It's made outta car carport ,

Quaia Fagan: 27:28

But we made it look like it made outta bricks. Oh , okay . Yeah , I was in his same class.

Sara Brown: 27:31

Oh, okay. Yeah. Now how does it feel having your work on display for everybody to, to to, you know, look at and be in awe of ?

Tyree Haw: 27:39

Uh , cool. Totally cool.

Sara Brown: 27:42

And do you have any other things you'd like to share about InSights? Art?

Tyree Haw: 27:45

My, my house was displayed, but it still is male bricks. Yeah. It's me out bricks. Uh , I glue , I made my house out of bricks 'cause it was , I , I made it out bricks with , with car with some bricks and stuff and cardboard and it's the same thing. Okay.

Sara Brown: 28:08

Okay. Well thank you so much. Okay.

Tyree Haw: 28:09

Well thank you. Alright .

Sara Brown: 28:11

And then I've got Anna over here. Anna, welcome to Insights Art and let us know where , who you are and where you're from.

Anna: 28:17

Uh, my name's Anna and I'm from Rockport, Missouri. Um, in Missouri. Uh , now what?

Sara Brown: 28:25

Okay. So talk to me about the piece that you submitted for InSights Art.

Anna: 28:29

Um, uh, just a , what is it called? Two paintings that are hooked together. It's like just a random...

Sara Brown: 28:37

Like a collage?

Anna: 28:38

Yeah, like a collage painting. Okay. And it's just clattering paint different colors of paint together and you just like move them . And I could have used fire, but that would've made it move more, but it's just like slaying the , uh, paint platter thing and just making it, it's like, I mean, it's right there, so. Okay. Well

Sara Brown: 29:02

Wonderful. Now talk about how it feels having your work on display for people to look at?

Anna: 29:07

Um cool. Never really done this, so. Oh,

Sara Brown: 29:10

Is this your first time?

Anna: 29:11

I've never really gone farther than like New York City or like Rockport or anywhere close to Rockport doing art or I just go to Omaha and see all my uncles painting and stuff. And so it's just different being in a big hotel like this, doing this.

Sara Brown: 29:32

Well you're a true artist. Is there anything else you'd like to let our listeners know?

Anna: 29:36

Not really.

Sara Brown: 29:37

Okay. Well Anna, thank you so much and thank you two gentlemen as well for allowing me to come on and talk to you all. So would you like to introduce yourself? Let our listeners know where you're from.

Carmen Divy: 29:48

Hi, my name is Carmen Divy . I'm from Georgia. I don't live in Macon, but I live in the sticks somewhere in Georgia. <laugh> .

Sara Brown: 29:55

Okay. Now talk about the piece of art you have on display for InSights Art.

Carmen Divy: 30:00

Um, the two paintings that I made, these two canvases, I did them in multiple different mediums. I called it light perception. One of them is mountains real pastel, real bright. Um, I made really large brushstrokes and strokes with my hands because um, I've, it just looks nice like that <laugh> . Okay. And the bottom one is of beach. It's getting dark. And the reason why I call it light perception is because well flying people, they see things differently all the time other than side of people. And sometimes when I go outside and it's super bright, everything washes together and all the lights fade and I can't see the ground and it looks super trippy. Um , and when it's dark outside or it's getting dark, everything kind of blends together and um, it gets everything mushes together and it looks really faded. And sometimes it can be really pretty, but sometimes it's like really dangerous because you know, you can't see the crowd <laugh>, <laugh> . Um , but also when you think about mountains you think of dreary , foggy, getting lights, things like that. And I decided to do the opposite of that and make it really colorful and bouncy and bright and super noticeable. And usually the beaches are super bright and sunny because when you think of beach, you think happy sunshine, volleyball, <laugh> swimming, but it's getting dark and there's reds and there's no real bright colors anywhere.

Sara Brown: 31:28

Well, all right . Now let me ask you this. I see your , your paintings, they've already sold. I'm gonna assume the sticker means that. How does it feel having your work on display and already purchased?

Carmen Divy: 31:38

Um, it was really shocking when I got here and it was already sold, but I met the person who bought it and they were really nice. And um, it's just really great to have my stuff on display in like a real gallery. We have stuff we've been , uh, we had a little gallery showing at some point at a college New York school, but it's nothing like to this scale.

Sara Brown: 32:02

And one last question I would like to ask, do you have anything else you'd like to share or let listeners know about um , your art at InSights Art?

Carmen Divy: 32:10

Um, whenever I do art, I, because my vision is not stable, it constantly changes. And when I did this, my vision was not the greatest. So I did it in pencil, I sketched it out, then I did it in marker, then I painted it, then I did in all pastels. Mm-Hmm . <affirmative> and then I rubbed it all in. Um, but everything that I do and everyone else does, they have their own specific ways of doing stuff and whether you're sighted or non-sighted, everyone has the potential to do things just like this.

Sara Brown: 32:49

Okay. Well thank you so very much for talking to me.

Carmen Divy: 32:53

You're so welcome.

Sara Brown: 32:55

Alright , would you like to just introduce yourself and let our listeners know where you're from?

Destiny Butts: 32:59

My name is Destiny Butts and I am from Milledgeville and I go to school at the Georgia Academy from the Blind for the Blind

Sara Brown: 33:07

<laugh> . Okay. Well welcome to Insights Art. Talk about the art that you have on display today.

Destiny Butts: 33:11

It's called as Entangle. Um, I think I did this assignment last year. We basically took a photo and we put it in gray scale and then we cropped out the face and then we put it on a blank sheet of paper and then we were supposed to draw the surroundings, like the hair and the shirt and we're supposed to color it in and make it different patterns. Um, coloring in the skin I don't think was a part of the original assignment, but I did it because I thought it would add a nice touch and it's really an experimentation type of thing, but I'm glad it turned out good

Sara Brown: 33:49

And it did. Now talk about how's it feel having your art on display for people to look at and purchase?

Destiny Butts: 33:55

It's kind of, it feels great. Honestly, I'm , that's part of the reasons why I make art. I like to share it with people so they can see it and like see what I can do and I don't know , I just think it art really brings people together so I'm glad I could be involved in that.

Sara Brown: 34:11

Now what do you see for the future? Um, you seem like you might be going to college, you might be in that age range. Do you , do you see art in your future?

Destiny Butts: 34:19

Absolutely. Is something that I love to do and I feel like I could do it for the rest of my life.

Sara Brown: 34:25

Wonderful. Now my last question, is there anything else you'd like to share about InSights, art or creating art with our listeners?

Destiny Butts: 34:32

Um, I would like to share that art should make you happy. It's something that you can do and it's something you can , you can share it with others and you know, you can bring people together with it and you can really just create anything your , you can really let your imagination run well . There's no limits when it comes to art.

Sara Brown: 34:53

Alright . Very wise words. Thank you so much, destiny.

Destiny Butts: 34:57

Thank you . You're welcome.

Sara Brown: 35:00

And that wraps up this recap of APH's 2024 annual meeting. I hope you have enjoyed it. I put links in the show notes to the Good Maps website that was mentioned as well as additional info for Insights Art. Also, if you have a podcast suggestion, please send my way. Send an email to changemakers@aph.org. And as always, be sure to look for ways you can be a change maker this week.