Betty G. Miller / Chuck Baird TributeGroup Challenge

De^ARTivists United (D^AU) is a non-profit 501©3 entity which was founded in 2014 by a group of Deaf View / Image Art De’VIA artists who are committed to ARTivism and social change.

De^ARTivists United (D^AU) is proud to announce the Betty G. Miller/Chuck Baird Tribute Challenge. The primary goals of this project are to inspire a collective

appreciation of the artworks of Betty G. Miller and Chuck Baird while also creating a forum for public recognition of the Deaf experience in De’VIA created by Deaf students.

Honoring Betty G. Miller and Chuck Baird

Betty G. Miller was born in 1934 to Deaf parents. After attending the Bell School in Chicago, Betty’s parents placed her in a mainstream school. She attended Gallaudet University and later received her doctorate degree in Art Education from Pennsylvania State University. She taught art at Gallaudet University and participating in numerous art exhibits. In 1972, her one-woman art show, “The Silent World,” showcased expressions of the Deaf Experience. Such artworks were eventually recognized as a unique genre of art called “Deaf View/Image Art” (De’VIA). In 1989, Betty along with nine other Deaf artists created a De’VIA mural and manifesto. Her artwork, Ameslan Prohibited, is still today one of the most recognizable De’VIA artworks. Because of Betty’s advocacy and commitment to communicating the truth of the Deaf experience via her art, she is known as “The Mother of De’VIA.” She passed away on December 3, 2012.

Chuck Baird was born on February 22, 1947 to Hearing parents and had three older Deaf sisters. He attended the Kansas School for the Deaf. Chuck went to both Gallaudet University and the Rochester Institute of Technology eventually earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 1975, he participated in his first exhibition during the World Federation of the Deaf Conference at Gallaudet University. Along with Betty G. Miller, he was a signatory of the De’VIA manifesto and involved with Spectrum, a Deaf artists’ colony in Austin, Texas. For a number of years, Chuck toured with the National Theatre of the Deaf. He was an artist-in-resident at a number of Deaf schools and created a permanent Deaf History mural at the Marie Philip School in Framingham, Massachusetts. Chuck Baird passed away on February 10, 2012.

Steps to the creation of a Betty G Miller/Chuck Baird Group Tribute

Schools will submit sketches for the BGM / CB tribute according to the guidelines below and once the sketches are approved then D^AU will provide a 3 ft by 8 ft blank banner with grommets to each participating school.

Start with multiple handprints as background - Try to use same color handshapes in a row.

Black Reverse Stencil Motifs - Paint outline of motif in black, then fill in the outside around the motifs

[2nd Wave of De’VIA Mural by various artists, see https://deviacurr.wordpress.com/devia-curr/murals/2013-mural/

Art Submission Guidelines:

Deadline for sketch September 30, 2017 (more than one sketch is allowed but no more than three) Once sketch is approved, a 3 ft by 8 ft blank banner will be sent to school by D^AU for creation

of the mural Deadline for photo of final mural and video files December 1, 2017 Submit one full image of mural Submit a detail image of each motif If permitted include a group picture of students in front of finished mural for posting online Submit videotape of student(s) explaining each motif Videotape of student(s) explaining overall meaning and process Student(s) being videotaped must have permission from parents

Rules for BGM / CB tribute project: Multicolored handprints as the background – try to use same color handshapes in a row – can be

rainbow colors but don’t let the colors mix and become mud Use interior/exterior latex paint Black paint / reverse stencils Triangle in the center and should be in white color. Can use painter’s tape to cover to paint

around it and then remove Important motif in the middle of the triangle Five Resistance motifs and five Affirmation motifs (De’VIA motifs) Must have balance composition (no overcrowding) and visual aesthetics There shall be no school mascot, lettering/school name or motto, logo, religious representation If using text should be subtle/hidden/code like Can use famous people associated with the school (Deaf artist/poet/leader and/or school history) Students are encouraged to research Betty G. Miller and Chuck Baird’s background, style and

artworks for consideration and inspiration when choosing motifs and designs for their school banner

Students’ signatures and date at bottom of banner

the schools that submit picture of the final banner will be given an award of either art supplies or funds for art supplies as a reward for participating in the tribute.

[for more information on De’VIA motifs and murals see https://deviacurr.wordpress.com/ ]

Betty G. Miller / Chuck Baird Tribute Group Challenge 2017Sketch of banner plans due September 30, 2017

Deadline for photo of final mural and video files December 1, 2017

Send to Nancy Rourke at nancyrourke@gmail.com

This form must be completed and must accompany a .jpg file of your school’s sketch for the banner

Please print or type all information.

School/Program: _______________________________________________________________________

Artists Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Artists Age Range: _____________________________________________________________________

Contact Person’s Name: _________________________________________________________________

Contact Person’s Email: _________________________________________________________________

Title of Artwork: ______________________________________________________________________

Medium: _____________________________________________________________________________

Provide a brief description of the banner design and explanation of the chosen motifs here.

Betty G. Miller / Chuck Baird Tribute Group Challenge 2017

Parental Release Form

This form MUST be completed for each artist under age of 18 who will be appearing in any video or photos associated with the BGM / CB banner.

To Whom It May Concern:

I hereby authorize the Betty G. Miller / Chuck Baird Tribute Group Challenge to use my child’s nameand/or likeness in connection with the submission of their group artwork.

I understand my child’s video and/or photo may appear on the website.

Child’s Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Child’s School/Program: ____________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian:___________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________________________________

De^ARTivists United (D^AU) is a non-profit 501©3 entity which was founded in 2014 by a group of Deaf View / Image Art De’VIA artists who are committed to ARTivism and social change.