ID: a bricked wall in blue tone with yellow neon text: “Deaf Spotlight presents LIMITLESS EXPRESSIONS with a teal “X”, a month of Deaf arts on stage, April 25 - May 18, 2025, 12th Ave Arts Studio, Seattle, WA.”
Mission: Deaf Spotlight inspires and showcases Deaf Culture and Sign Languages through the arts.
Vision: Deaf Spotlight illuminates the artist within every Deaf person.
ID: Flyer for Limitless Expressions, with a blue background and neon yellow and blue text. Text: “Deaf Spotlight presents Limitless Expressions, a month showcase of Deaf Arts.” Bulleted list below: “Art; Dance; Visual Vernacular; Solo Performances”. Text below: “Mark your calendar, April 25-May 18, 2025. 12th Ave Arts Studio, Seattle, WA. More information: DeafSpotlight.org/LX .”
LIMITLESS EXPRESSIONS
Back for the 2nd time, Deaf Spotlight will host LIMITLESS EXPRESSIONS, a month long festival featuring art, dance, visual vernacular and solo performances! Tickets will be released in mid-March. Keep an eye out for opportunities to participate in the festival in different ways!
FESTIVAL LINEUP
Friday, April 25 | ART NIGHT OUT from 7 - 10 PM
Saturday & Sunday, April 26-27 | ART MARKET from 10 AM - 5 PM
Friday - Sunday, May 2-4 | URBAN JAZZ DANCE COMPANY - Fri/Sat from 7 - 8:30 PM & Sun from 1-2:30 PM
Friday - Sunday, May 9-11 | VISUAL VERNACULAR Fri/Sat from 7 - 8:30 PM & Sun from 1-2:30 PM
Friday, May 16 | 8585 FISH from 7 - 8:30 PM
Saturday, May 17 | ASL CABARET from 7 - 8:30 PM
Sunday, May 18 | DEAF TALKS from 1-4 PM
LIMITLESS EXPRESSIONS is made possible with support from: 4Culture, ArtsFund, City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, Conru Foundation, Hearing Speech and Deaf Center (HSDC), Seattle Peoples Fund and Washington State Arts Commission.
Attendees with other access needs can submit a request at least two weeks in advance by emailing access@deafspotlight.org.
ID: a LX Open Call poster.
LX 2025 OPEN CALL!
We are looking for talent like you to join and support our Limitless Festival from April 25 to May 8, (Friday to Sunday) at the 12th Avenue Arts Studio! More details available in each form below. EXTENDED DEADLINE: March 31, 2025.
ID: a light green and blue background with a film reel accent on left edge with four BIPOC students on top and event sponsors at bottom. Text: "Film Screening: Thriving Together, Fostering Deaf & Hard of Hearing Youth's Well Being. Location: SPL-Central Auditorium. Free event! A post film panel to follow afterwards!"
Film Screening: Thriving Together
Please join Seattle Children's and Deaf Spotlight for an afternoon of culture and community. "Thriving Together: Fostering Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth's Well Being, Short Version" will be screened. The film features four local BIPOC Deaf/Hard of Hearing children from immigrant families defying the odds and navigating the mental health system with the support of Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry. Now thriving as university students, their powerful journeys shatter barriers and inspire a new generation.
This film is presented with Spanish audio and English subtitles. A panel discussion will follow featuring panelists include Julia Petersen, Regina McGinnis, Melissa Yingst, and Seth Light and will be moderated by SooHyun Tak. The panel will be in American Sign Language with English voiceover. Time to network and collaborate with community partners to follow panel.
Community Partners: Seattle Public Library- Central and more to come soon!
FREE EVENT!
Where: Seattle Public Library- Central Library Auditorium
When: Saturday, April 19 from 1-4 PM
ID: flyer for Grant Writing Workshop, with the title inside a spiral notebook on top “Grant Writing Workshop, 10am-12pm PST, Sat 7 June 2025. Crafting the Artists of Tomorrow”, and a yellow post-it note on the top right “free and virtual!” Below, text on the left and photos and names on the right. Text: “About the workshop: Unlock the grant knowledge and skills with Antoine Hunter and Zahna Simon of Urban Jazz Dance Company to take your art to new heights! ASL interpreters provided.” Top photo: Antoine Hunter. Bottom photo: Zahna Simon. Text across the bottom: www.DeafSpotlight.org and www.realurbanjazzdance.com. The logos for Urban Jazz Dance Company and Deaf Spotlight are on the bottom right corner.
FREE GRANTWRITING WORKSHOP
Come learn how to write a project grant to elevate your arts! This FREE workshop is intended for those who are new to grant writing. Antoine Hunter and Zahna Simon of Urban Jazz Dance Company will share their experiences and tips!
This grant writing workshop is FREE. The workshop is provided for everybody who identifies as Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and any other Deaf identities. The workshop will focus on discussing types of grants, what you will need to begin and prepare your grant writing, and your grant questions.
Focus:
– Discussing what grants are out there, deadlines, etc
– What you need to begin and prepare for your art project grants (individual artist)
– Your grant questions
When: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Time: 10 am - 12 pm PST / 1 -3 pm EST
Format: ZOOM
RSVP deadline: May 1, 2025
Sign Up Form: Here
Access: The workshop will be interpreted in American Sign Language. If you need any other access, please email access@deafspotlight.org.
Zahna Simon: A San Francisco native and Deaf from birth, Ms Zahna is a professional dancer, chemist, avid health nutritionist, researcher and Deaf advocate. Ms Zahna is the Assistant Director for Urban Jazz Dance Company and the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival and a full time office manager at a Professional Fiduciary Office. She has been featured in KPBS TV, CBS Bay Sunday, Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine and Ikouii Creative’s Book, IN THE STUDIO, published on Stance on Dance and was a Deaf Editor for Sins Invalid Disability Justice Primer.
Follow Zahna: @deafenpointe
Antoine Hunter: Bay Area native, Antoine Hunter also known as Purple Fire Crow is an award-winning Internationally-known African-American, Indigenous, Deaf, Disabled, choreographer, dancer, actor, instructor, speaker, Producer and Deaf advocate. He creates opportunities for Disabled, Deaf and hearing artists and produces Deaf-friendly events, and founded the Urban Jazz Dance Company and Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival.
Follow Antoine: @thegreatdancerah
ID: Flyer for Deaf Youth: Drama Experiences Workshop Series with a purple, teal and yellow striped background and an orange triangle on the bottom. Text under title: “Saturday dates: April 12, June 14, Aug 9, Oct 11, Dec 13. Capital Hill, Seattle, WA.” Text inside a black circle on bottom right: “$10 per youth”. QR code inside the orange triangle, with “Register” above it. Text across a yellow stripe on bottom: “Questions? Contact Camp@DeafSpotlight.org. www.DeafSpotlight.org . ” The Deaf Spotlight logo is on top center.
Deaf Youth Drama Experiences
Join our exciting Deaf Youth Drama Experiences in 2025, a dynamic and inclusive creative series of workshops for young Deaf individuals interested in theater and performing arts. Over the course of the year, students will explore the world of drama while developing a variety of skills, including acting techniques, stagecraft, and collaborative storytelling.
Activities include:
Acting workshops in ASL where students will learn to express emotion and character.
Improvisation exercises to build quick thinking, creativity, and team communication.
Scene work to practice blocking, character development, and delivering compelling performances.
Stage production basics, such as lighting, sound, costume design, props, and set design, to learn how to bring a show to life.
Collaborative projects where students work together to create and perform original works.
By the end of the program, students will have developed confidence in their acting abilities and stage presence, enhanced their communication and expressive skills, and built lasting friendships in a supportive environment.
If you're a Deaf/CODA youth with an interest in drama and performing arts, sign up to participate in our workshops offered on specific dates in 2025.
Saturday Dates:
April 12 * June 14 * Aug 9 * Oct 11 * Dec 12
Age Group / Time:
Age Group (6-12) 10 AM -12 PM
Age Group (12-18) 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Location:
1517 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98102
Price: $10 per attendee per workshop. If your youth plans to attend 5 workshops, it will be $50 total. If 3 workshops, $30.
What to bring: comfortable clothes that are easy to move in and water bottle.
This event will be in ASL only.
SPACE LIMITED TO 15 attendees
All novice and experienced are welcome!
This space is for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing youth participants. Thank you for your understanding.
Questions: camp@deafspotlight.org
For access requests, please email access@deafspotlight.org with your specific needs.
INSTRUCTORS
Kai Winchester is a PNW native who has been involved in theater for 30 years, on and off the stage: actor, assistant stage manager, writer, sign coach, DASL - and now director. He is currently using his Master's degree in Deaf Education to rebuild the Deaf Youth Drama program with Seattle Children's Theater.
Anna Bracilano is a Washington State native, born in Seattle and raised outside of the city. Growing up, she was involved with Deaf Youth Drama Program, as an actress and stage crew with NTID Performing Arts and Gallaudet University Theatre. Supporting Deaf Spotlight Presents as an actress/crew since 2012.
ID: Flyer for “Free Community Passes”, stylized as yellow ticket stubs with an orange background with text inside the stub. Further text below: “To Seattle Art Museum or Seattle Asian Art Museum for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing members! Tinyurl.com/SAM-DS2025”. Logos for the Seattle Art Museum and Deaf Spotlight on the bottom.
Back for 3rd year, Deaf Spotlight will distribute FREE museum passes to Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing community members through the Seattle Art Museum Community Pass Program.
Please fill out the form below with your name, your mailing address, and how many passes you would like to get. Each person can get up to 2 community passes. Each community pass will give you 6 tickets each. Your passes must be redeemed by the end of year 2025.
The passes can be redeemed at both locations: Seattle Art Museum (Downtown) and Seattle Asian Art Museum (Volunteer Park) during regular hours.
Many handwaves to Seattle Art Museum’s Community Pass Program for making this accessible for all!
Free Seattle Art Museum / Seattle Asian Art Museum tickets to Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing community members!
UPCOMING DS EVENTS
Here's our programming lineup for 2025! We will roll out more details on social media, website and e-news when ready.
We got two group art exhibits, creative workshops for youth and adults, Limitless Expressions festival, Seattle Deaf Film Festival open submission call, artist meetups, Halloween Party, and BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant open call!
Please come back for more details.
ID: Calendar Ad. Against a purple background, a big swipe of white paint across the middle with colored boxes. On top, a group picture with white text: "Inspiring and showcasing Deaf culture and Sign Languages through the arts." with Deaf Spotlight logo on left.
In middle: text: "2025 Events." above six rows of colored boxes with different 2025 events in black text. First row has two blue boxes with text: "Organization Art Show Feb. 1 - 28. Lettering Workshop February 23." Second row with one orange box and two pink boxes with text: "Open Studio Session March 9. Youth Drama Workshop April 12. Limitless Expressions April 25 - May 18." Third row has three purple boxes with text: "SDFF 2025 Open Call for Films June. Youth Drama Workshop June 14. Artist Meetup: Nature Walk June 21." Fourth row has one blue box and two gray boxes with text: "Youth Drama Workshop August 9. National Group Exhibit Sept 1 - 29. Enamel Pin Workshop Sept. 21." Fifth row has three teal boxes with text: "Youth Drama Workshop October 11. Open Studio Session October 19. Halloween Party October 26." Sixth row has two orange-red boxes and one yellow box with text: "BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant November. Artist Meetup November 8. Youth Drama Workshop December 13." Underneath is text: "subject to change: please check for updates."
On bottom: a group of people holding cameras behind white text : "For Updates & Information: DeafSpotlight.org. info@deafspotlight.org." QR code on right.
ID: A white banner with colorful circles and rings dotting the background with several cut-out photos in a row in the center. The BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant logo is on top right corner with “2024 Grant Recipients” underneath. Four cut-out photos form a cluster in the middle with names underneath each picture. Clockwise from top left corner: Dickie Hearts, Davina Mayor, Jessie Zhang, and Brandy Mimms. The Deaf Spotlight logo is on the bottom right corner.
BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant Recipients 2024
Deaf Spotlight is excited to announce the 2024 recipients of the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant! From 26 applicants, we narrowed it to 4 best candidates based on the strength and diversity of their portfolios, clarity of their plans/goals and potential momentum to push their work forward with our funding.
The recipients are:
We’re thrilled to continue this grant to support the next group of emerging and experienced BIPOC Deaf artists. Handwaves! We can’t wait to see what they create with this grant.
PURPOSE
The Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Deaf Arts Grant is an annual program that provides financial support for emerging and established artists to further advance their careers.
Deaf Spotlight’s mission is to inspire and showcase Deaf Culture and Sign Languages through the arts. The Deaf Arts Grant will make a crucial difference for BIPOC Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing artists to thrive in the challenging arts field.
To sign up for grant updates and opportunities, please email BIPOCDeafArtsGrant@deafspotlight.org.
ID: 4 movie posters with SDFF Winner Laurels, from top left: Diagnonsense, Imaginings, Shhh!, and To My Father.
CONGRATS TO SDFF 2024 WINNERS!
Congratulations to the award winners for Seattle Deaf Film Festival 2024! SDFF viewers selected these films as four of their favorites.
Best Comedy: Shhh! by Shamir Raiapov, Kyrgyzstan
Best Drama: Diagnonsense by Samuel Dore, United Kingdom
Best Documentary: To My Father by Sean Schiavolin, United States
Best Other: Imaginings by Anja Hiddinga, Netherlands
Thank you to all of the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing filmmakers who joined SDFF 2024. We look forward to seeing your talent continue to grow.
And thank you to everybody who supported our 7th festival! We’ll see you again in 2026.
ID: Deaf Spotlight Annual report: 9 pages with a mixture of text and graphic illustrations in multiple colors in vertical view. The title page has a dark blue background with text in middle with pink lines on right and bottom, creating an impression of box with Deaf Spotlight logo in lower right corner. Text in middle: “Annual 2023 Report.” “Annual” is in white, “2023 is blue with pink shadows, and “Report” is white outlined letters.
Read our Annual Report 2023!
ID: Square ad with several different sized squares in different colors – blue, green, gray, and orange with yellow in middle. The green square has white text - “2022.” The yellow square has black text – “Professional Development Survey Infographics.” Deaf Spotlight logo is above the black text.
Check out our Professional Development Survey Infographics 2022
This is our 2nd time to track Professional Development of the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing artists and creatives.
We are grateful to all who filled out the 2022 survey. This data has helped us start compiling a picture of the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing art community. We are looking forward to the next year’s data (2024) which will be our third year in doing this survey. Thank you for your support!
