Moving Over the Edge: Artists with Disabilities Take the Leap

by Pamela Kay Walker

"Moving Over the Edge, Artists with Disabilities Take the Leap" is about the author's coming of age alongside disability activists and artists with disabilities, reflecting the sociological evolution from disability rights to disability culture. It features many of the artists and groups that emerged in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s, including Axis Dance Company, Bruce Curtis, CJ Jones, David Roche, Cheryl Marie Wade and Wry Crips Disabled Women's Theater.

244 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

I have been an author for many years, first published in 1976. My works span the genres from poetry to short stories, journal articles to theatrical plays, instructional materials to screen plays. "Moving Over the Edge, Artists with Disabilities" is my first full book.

Born and raised in Nebraska, I graduated from Denver University with dual degrees: Psychology and Sociology. I took graduate courses in Broadcasting, Journalism and Educational Media at Oregon State University, but gave up studying art to do art.

My experiences in the field of Arts Administration include consulting for The National Endowment for the Arts, The National Arts and Disability Center, BBC, PBS, and The Rockefeller Foundation. I served on multiple grant panels and planning committees. My final project before retiring was coordinating a 12-state conference for the Western Arts Federation.

In addition to multiple awards won for my video and radio work, I was:

* Presented with the 2005 Media Access Award of Merit by the California Governor's Committee
* Honored with an award category named for me in the Superfest International Media Festival on Disabilities
* Presented with Ever Widening Circle's Arts and Culture award in 2005 for 30 years of work opening doors for artists with disabilities.
* Named Berkeley's Woman of the Year
* Presented with KRON's "For Those Who Care" award
* Named one of New Mobility's Top 10 People of the Year

I am now learning the art of gardening.

Reviews

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for My Women and Disability studies class with Professor Marsha Saxton at UC Berkeley. History has never been my favorite and unfortunately my interest in art gets pushed aside for my other academic requirements. I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to read this book and learn about the Disability Rights Movement from the perspective of someone who observed and participated in it. Now, this is not a history book; I would consider this a historical memoir, which is why it is so easy to read. I also loved the collection and description of artists and I ended up exploring these artists on my own as well. Pamela is witty and writes in a style that is informal, conversational and it greatly contributed to enjoyment of the book. I wish more people would learn about, participate in or recognize Disability activism, advocacy and allyism--- this is a great place to start.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read. Very Informative.