About The Art

The Accessible Expressions Ohio Exhibition and opening reception is the only state-wide arts event for disabled artists from youth to professional artists. This annual event celebrates talented artists from an array of backgrounds and skill sets. The Butler Institute of American Art is pleased to be a part of this year’s prestigious locations across Ohio.

The opening reception will be held on Sunday, April 12th from 1-3pm at The Butler Institute of American Art. Join us for an evening of music and artmaking as we celebrate this year’s 58 artists, honor their achievements, and explore their work together. You will not want to miss this opportunity!

1-2pm: Fellowship, Food, and Artmaking

Awards from 2-3pm:
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place (Youth Category)
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place (Emerging Category)
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place (Professional Category)
Best in Show
Special Category Winner

Workshop: Make Recovery Flags for Health and Healing

Make Recovery Flags with the Remember Love Recovery Project to destigmatize addiction disorder through art, education and human connection with fabric, glue, paint, stitchery, scraps and markers. Pour your compassion into your recovery flag with endless possibilities: Focus on hope. Allow grief to surface. Reflect on forgiveness. Memorialize a loved one. Give gratitude for the recovery process. Send positive thoughts to somebody touched by addiction disorder or in need of any healthy healing. To destigmatize means to remove associations of shame or disgrace. NO ART EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

Workshop led by Patty Bode, founder of the Remember Love Recovery Project, a nonprofit charitable organization, 501c3 whose mission is to use art, education and human connection to de-stigmatize addiction disorder and end overdose. She brings creative compassion centered on human dignity and worth to museums, PK12 public schools, higher education and community settings such as shelters for the unhoused, prisons and health clinics.

Band: The Feral Cats

The Feral Cats are a band from Youngstown, Ohio. Established in 2016, The Feral Cats are comprised of a talented group of adults with disabilities. They have performed at many local events including First Night Youngstown, Canfield Fair, Greater Youngstown Italian Fest, Suzie’s Dogs & Drafts and Gringo’s. The band sings a wide variety of music spanning from the 1950s to present-day, along with a number of original tunes. Their self-titled debut album P.C.M.C. (former band name) featuring the song “Shut Your Mouth” was released in 2018. The Feral Cats are captivating, full of energy, and most of all, a lot of fun! For more information, photos and videos, visit The Feral Cats on Facebook!

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Founded in 1986, Art Possible Ohio partners with artists of all ages who have disabilities to promote accessibility and inclusion, support career development in the creative sector, cultivate community, and enhance academic achievement for students across Ohio through arts integration. By connecting the arts and disability communities, its programs and services create inclusive environments and expand accessible opportunities for people throughout the state.

artpossibleohio.org

DATE: April 12, 2026 - June 7, 2026

RECEPTION: April 12, 2026 from 1-3pm

LOCATION: MacIntosh & Finnegan/Hynes Galleries, second level.