Congressman Neil congratulates Massachusetts artist, Anjali Poddar.

Boston resident Jessica Merrell was attending the Tamarind Institute of Lithography in Albuqerque NM when her etching won an Award of Excellence in the art show Driven.

Michael Tyler director of Anchor House for Artists, Ryan McDonnell, artist and Charlie Washburn, Executive Director of VSA arts of Massachusetts

Congratulations to Anjali Poddar, Ryan McDonnell, and Jessica Merrell from VSA arts of Massachusetts!

"For the sixth year, VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc., have partnered to recognize and showcase young artists with disabilities, ages 16–25, who are living in the United States. This collaboration supports these artists at a critical time when many are deciding whether to pursue the arts as a career. The award validates, and helps finance, that life-defining choice.

VSA arts sent more than 20,000 calls for entry to high schools and colleges around the country, inviting submissions that illustrated the theme “Driven.” Participants were asked to consider the motivations behind their work—what moves them to create. The call also encouraged artists to contemplate the relationship between life, art, and disability. Selected from 204 submissions, these 15 finalists were awarded a total of $60,000 generously provided by Volkswagen of America, Inc." Click here to view all VSA arts Driven Award Recipients.

Anjali Poddar of Andover Massachusetts and Charlie Washburn at the Congressional reception honoring the Excellence Award recipients from the juried art show Driven.

Congressional reception honoring Ryan McDonnell with an Award of Excellence in the 5th annual juried exhibition of emerging aritsts with disabilities.

Congressman Neil and Ryan McDonnell discuss Ryan's award winning artwork from Driven.