In May, there are 20 female artists with disabilities showcasing their work at the Toledo Museum of Art. In June, their work goes online for another showcase.
TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) continues to partner with the Disability EmpowHer Network to host the Disabled Women Make History (and Art) Exhibition.
Over the last four years, at least 20 female artists with disabilities have had their work showcased at TMA. Director of Programs Sophie Poot told WTOL 11 this event is wonderful and helps highlight artists who are likely ignored by the wider community due to being disabled.
“Just creating more spaces for people and understanding that community has to be vibrant and diverse, and if we’re going to do that we have to work together on that,” Poot said. “So, how can we come from a place of love and community and say ‘Let’s do this. How do we bridge these gaps?”
For the last two years the exhibit has also been completely featured online after the in-person show to allow any and everyone, regardless of their location or physical ability to access the artwork. This also gives attendees and supporters a chance to meet with the artists, ask questions and really get a chance to connect with others during the event.
Poot said showing these pieces again in a different way gives space for these women to tell their stories to an even wider audience.
“The beauty of this event is people getting to see themselves in artwork and get to interact with other people who have disabilities like them or who understand their experience. So, how can we create that on another level? That’s where this virtual art show came in a month after our in-person event. Let’s do another event that’s virtual that people from anywhere in the country can come to,” Poot explained.
The virtual art show is free and available to the public. For more information about the exhibition, click here. To RSVP for your spot to speak with the artists and see their work online, click here.
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