Jenny McKenzie creates artwork by holding a pen or other tool between her thumb and chin and moving her shoulder. She says, “I know it sounds hard, but I am used to it, so it is not.” Jenny contracted viral encephalitis at age three, leaving her deaf and mostly blind, with a form of cerebral palsy.

Jenny recently graduated from the EWI business training program with a portfolio and marketing plan for her emerging business. She currently exhibits at craft shows, yet her dream is to send her portfolio to a museum or a business to display.

She says, “I don’t think that a physical disability should be a limitation to what a person can create and express. You don’t always have to see perfectly in order to see what is in your mind or in your heart to put it on paper.”

Jenny says she thinks creative talents are gifts for us to use to help others and enjoy. She adds, “And if we remember that God gives us these talents, he will help us find a way to create that picture, even though maybe we can’t hear or see or use our hands.”

In a recent survey, the majority of EWI artist members reported an increase in income, and marketability of their work in the past year.

As in the case of Jenny McKenzie above, EWI offers much-needed training in business skills development to women entrepreneurs. The program is designed for immigrant and refugee women, but any artist may apply.

Artists trained by, and participating with, EWI have exhibited and sold art in upscale private galleries, shops, and arts centers including The Smithsonian Museum, The National Geographic, The World Bank, Alvear Gallery in DC, Del Ray Artisans, The Art League, The Torpedo Factory Arts Center and West Gallery in Alexandria, Alchemy in Silver Spring, Capitol Arts Network of Bethesda and various Embassies in Washington DC.

Wednesday, November 8, 6:30-8:30 pm
NEW EXHIBITION
Reflections:The Art and Journey of Isreali-American artist Regina Margarita Barker-Barzel
The event is supported in part through a grant from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts. RSVP here

Sunday, November 12, 2006, 6-8 PM
Shop Ten Thousand Villages in Old Town Alexandria at 915 King Street, and 20% of the evening's sales benefit EWI. For more information email Marga Fripp at cfripp@aol.com

Friday, November 17, 6-9 PM
Empowered Women International & Exit Signature Realty sponsor Art Out Loud, a solo exhibition of Eric Nelson. Fifty percent of the sales is tax-deductible and benefits Empowered Women International. More and RSVP here

Shop EWI During Gallery Hours
Tuesday-Friday 11 AM-7 PM
Saturday 12 PM-6 PM
Volunteers are needed to cover part or all of weekend shifts (12-6 PM). If interested, email Katie at Katie@ewint.org