COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) opens Accessible Expressions Ohio (AEO), in partnership with Art Possible Ohio, in GCAC’s Loann Crane Gallery on Friday, Aug. 9. The opening reception will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 at the gallery, located at 182 E. Long St. Accessible Expressions Ohio will be on view through Sept. 30, 2024.
Curated by Simone Robinson, director of programs for Art Possible Ohio, Accessible Expressions Ohio is an adjudicated state-wide touring exhibition presented by Art Possible Ohio and featuring artwork by artists with disabilities. Representing youth, emerging and professional artists, a panel of practicing artists, educators and arts administrators selected the works in the exhibition from 165 submissions. The exhibition was on view this spring at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Founded in 1986, Art Possible Ohio is a statewide nonprofit working with artists of all ages who have disabilities to advocate for accessibility and inclusivity, advance careers in the creative sector, build community and improve the academic achievement of Ohio’s students through arts integration. Learn more at ArtPossibleOhio.org.
“As an artist with a disability myself, while also dealing with intersections of race, gender and education, I understand what it is like to feel underrepresented in certain spaces,” said Robinson. “And that is why we do the work that we do at Art Possible Ohio; we want art to be accessible for everyone, by everyone, no matter the visible or invisible disabilities and barriers that may stand in the way.”
“The Loann Crane Gallery’s mission is to highlight the works of artists from historically marginalized communities, and efforts to create equitable and diverse spaces can often overlook the inclusion of disabilities,” said Khaila Carr, grants and community engagement coordinator for GCAC. “Art Possible Ohio excels in promoting inclusivity in all aspects, making Accessible Expressions Ohio perfectly fitting to have a presence in our gallery. I love the organization’s philosophy of art as a way to ‘bend, flex and grow.’”
Artists in the exhibition include: Saya Amend, Devon Brandenburg, Sarah Brown, Regina Dorfmeyer, Steve Edinger, Rita Elswick, Arlo Wren Esposito McDiarmid, Jesse Fields, Jacs Fishburne, Flint Garrabrant, Sheree Green, Sandy Hartke, Megan Howard, Randy E. Jones, Beth Kagel, Kevin Kurre, Minnie Lucas, Lisa Merida-Paytes, Heather Moore, Kristin Morris, Sam Murray, Dakota Robinson, Matt Swift and Wenn Yockey.
The featured artwork is available virtually on the gallery website at gcacgallery.org. Some of the work is for sale and can be purchased through the QR code on the website.
Loann Crane Gallery hours are Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday-Friday by appointment. The gallery is also a meeting space and subject to availability for drop-in visits; visitors who are planning a visit are encouraged to contact GCAC at gallery@gcac.org to ensure availability.
Named for the long-time benefactor of the arts and social justice in Columbus, the Loann Crane Gallery is located in GCAC’s office building at 182 E. Long St. downtown. Exhibitions in the gallery are focused on showcasing work by artists from historically marginalized communities.
Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners, the Ohio Arts Council and The Ohio State University.
For translations of this release and other pages, please see the dropdown menu at the top right corner of gcac.org.
Image: Speculative Odyssey (detail), Megan Howard
# # #
CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
