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Disabled Women Make History (and Art)

text: "Disabled Women Make History (and Art) 6.20.26-7.31.26" Image of art piece "Dreamy Delirium". The composition centers on a single, large ultramarine eye which is rich, layered blues in the iris radiating outward from a dark pupil. It’s surrounded by a starburst of white light. The work balances sharp, detailed elements (lashes, pupil and iris textures) with luminous abstraction created by reflective surfaces and scattered droplets. The droplets highlight and reflect the surface. This magnifies and distorts the underlying imagery, adding depth and motion. Some of the droplets also reflect the distorted center of the eye.

Disability EmpowHer Network and the Toledo Museum of Art is proud to host Disabled Women Make History (and Art), an art show celebrating disabled women!

Join us for our opening reception on June 20th 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Toledo Museum of Art's Green Building, Education Hallway. This year's exhibit will be open through July 31, 2026 to celebrate Disability Pride Month.

If you have any questions, please email exhibit organizers, Katie Shelley at KShelley@toledomuseum.org and Sophie Poost, sophie@disabilityempowhernetwork.org

A disabled woman smiling at the camera besides a canvas of art

Art

A white disabled woman in a powerchair, a white disabled woman standing, and a biracial woman in a power chair together smiling at the camera

Professional Development

a diverse group of disabled women and nonbinary people

Community

Image of Lois Curtis, a black disabled woman, standing in front of her art.

Lois Curtis

a headshot of Elaine Wilson, a white disabled woman.

Elaine Wilson

Background

Disabled Women Make History (and Art) is more than an art show—it’s a celebration of disability history, community, and creativity. This event honors the legacy of Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, two disabled women whose advocacy led to Olmstead v. L.C., the landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed disabled people’s right to live in the community rather than institutions. Lois, a talented artist, expressed herself through vibrant portraits and paintings, using art as a means of storytelling and self-advocacy. Both she and Elaine deeply valued the power of community, fighting not just for their own freedom but for the rights of all disabled people to live and thrive among their peers. Disabled Women Make History (and Art) continues this legacy, uplifting disabled women and feminine-aligned nonbinary artists, fostering community, and celebrating the power of creativity as a force for change.

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Since June 2022, Disability EmpowHer Network in partnership with the Toledo Museum of Art, has presented Disabled Women Make History (and Art), an annual art show featuring the artwork of disabled women. ​In 2023, the event was expanded to include workshops for the artists the day of the art show to provide additional professional development for the artists covering topics such as public speaking and negotiations.

Andi's Testimony

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"Thank you so much for the opportunity to join everyone last week.  It truly made my heart and soul so full!  Meeting so many amazing people, knowing my art was able to relate to so many others and the input from other artists was great. Truly, thank you.  I have a fire and cannot wait to create and share so much of my art with others. "

a disabled woman in a manual chair smiles standing next to her art
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©2024 by Disability EmpowHer Network.

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