WASHINGTON.- VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the 15 finalists of the 2006 exhibit, "Destination Anywhere." This exhibit is the fifth collaboration of the two organizations highlighting the works of young artists with disabilities. The VSA arts/Volkswagen of America, Inc. exhibit will open on Sept. 28, at the S. Dillon Ripley Center of the Smithsonian Institution and remain throughout the month of November. The awardees of "Destination Anywhere" will receive a total of $60,000.

The Grand Prize awardee, Emily Alexander, from Chicago, Ill., will receive $20,000 for her mixed media work, "Butterfly"; first awardee, Jordan Rhoat, from Tyrone, Pa., will receive $10,000 for an acrylic painting, "OMG! A Tsunami in the Desert on an Overcast Day"; and Caleb Charland, second awardee from Brewer, Maine, will receive $6,000 for his silver gelatin print, "Three Jars."

The following artists will each receive an Award of Excellence in the amount of $2,000: April Alvarez (Laie, Hawaii), Brandon Barriger (Cunningham, Ky.), Carrie Brummer (Yarmouthport, Mass.), Luis Estrada (Richmond, Calif.), Emily Francisco (DeSoto, Mo.), Jessica Goldberg (Tampa, Fla.), Jarrett Inn (Germantown, Md.), Coralina Meyer (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Skyla Stuckey (Whispering Pines, N.C.), Stephanie Ward (Wichita, Kan.), Eileen Wheeler (Forest Hill, Md.), Mandi Ziino (Arcata, Calif.). Awardees will be honored at a reception on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 20.

The distinguished jury panel reviewed 207 submissions from artists ages 16 to 25 years old. The panel consisted of William A. Newman, artist and professor, Corcoran College of Art and Design, Washington; Agnes Gund, president emerita of the Museum of Modern Art, New York; and Annie Gawlak, director of G Fine Art, Washington.

This year's call for art asked artists to take viewers to unexpected conceptual locations through their work. "We encouraged artists to share their personal perspective through art," said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. "We are grateful to Volkswagen of America for making this possible."

Volkswagen of America Inc.'s director of industry-government relations, David Geanacopoulos, said, "We are excited to partner with VSA arts for another year to highlight and support the outstanding talents of young artists with disabilities."