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FIA supports artists and audiences who are blind or visually impaired.
Here is what FIA has in store during the 2023 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention. Please note that in any convention related information times shown are central time.
To join or renew FIA dues, go to www.friendsinart.org
Friends-in-Art of ACB
Thursday, June 22 (zoom only)
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: FIA business meeting
5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: Digital Musicmaking:
Hardware and Software to Make and Mix Music on Keyboard.
Presenters: Derek Lane, Owner, Lane’s Audio, Morganton, NC; Jason Castonguay, composer/performer/producer, Manchester, CT; and Peter Altschul, composer/percussionist/author, Columbia, MO
Friday, June 23, zoom only
4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: AD Across the Arts
While film and TV might be the most well-known audio described art form, many arts and entertainment venues use AD as well. Live theatre and dance performances, museums, parks, and even the circus provide AD to increase accessibility. Panelists will share some of the challenges and the excitement of bringing all the arts to life for people who are blind or have low vision.
Moderator: Dr. Tabitha Kenlon, ACB Audio Description Project Coordinator, Alexandria, VA
Panelists: Leigh Jackson, Director, IDEA Programming, People’s Light, Malvern, PA; Lisa B. Lewis, Founder, Executive Director, Omnium: A Bold New Circus, Brooklyn, NY; Mark Osborne, Director, Visitor and Volunteer Services, Holocaust Museum, Houston, TX
Co-sponsored by ADP and FIA
5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: Writing, Composing, and Performing
Learn about how a poem got set to music and performed without anyone meeting in person.
Annie Chiappetta, author and therapist, New Rochelle, NY; Peter Altschul, composer/percussionist/author, Columbia, MO; Jason Castonguay, composer/performer/producer, Manchester, CT; Joan Miles, poet, Salem, OR; and Abbie Taylor, author, Sheridan, WY.
Saturday, June 24 (zoom only)
4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Writers Workshop: Writing Fiction for Young People
Children’s author Feather Chelle will take us through her creative process and what motivates her to write for children, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Anne Chiappetta, author and therapist, New Rochelle, NY; Feather Chelle, Merkel, TX; and Peter Altschul, Columbia, MO
Co-sponsored by FIA and ACBF
7:30 pm – 9:15 pm: Virtual Showcase of the Performing Arts. Lay back and groove to a mix of music and poetry through the power of ACB Media.
10:00 pm – 11:15 pm: Showcase After Hours
Participate in our celebration of the Showcase with performers and those behind the scenes who put it all together.
Peter Altschul, Columbia, MO; Nancy Pendegraph, FIA Vice President (VP), Huntsville, AL
Sunday, July 2 (this session is hybrid)
9:00 pm – 10:15 pm: Prose and Poetry Reading
Share some of your original work or just come listen. Material must be family friendly.
Facilitator: Carla Hayes, McMurray, PA
Co-sponsored by FIA and ACB Next Generation
Monday, July 3
(this will be in-person only; it will be available as a Podcast after the convention)
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Showcase of the Performing Arts Get ready for another outstanding panoply of performances from musicians, poets, and others. The pinnacle of diversity, creativity, and professionalism. Cash bar available.
Co-sponsored by FIA, ACB Next Generation and BPI
10:00 pm – midnight: Open Mic
Co-sponsored by FIA, ACB Next Generation and BPI
Wednesday, July 5 (in-person and virtual)
7:00 am – 8:15 am: FIA and BPI breakfast
Speaker: Jason Castonguay, performer, composer, and tech geek, Manchester, CT
Convention registration is open through June 16th.
To register go to
https://members.acb.org/