Toledo Museum of Art and Disability EmpowHer Network Present Disabled Women Make History (and Art)

Daily Dose  |  06/09/2026 9:00 am

Disabled Women Make History (and Art) is an annual collaborative exhibition presented by the Toledo Museum of Art and Disability EmpowHer Network.

The exhibition, which celebrates the creativity, lived experience, and leadership of disabled women artists from the community, the region and the country, opens with a public reception on June 20, 2026, and remains on view through July 31, 2026, in recognition of Disability Pride Month.

In 2026, the exhibition expands from a single‑day event into a month‑long installation in the Museum’s Education Hallway, located in the Green Building. This extended presentation creates greater access, deeper engagement, and sustained visibility for the participating artists and their work.

Disabled Women Make History (and Art) 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, 27 years ago, affirmed disabled Americans' right to live in the community rather than institutions.

Lois, an artist, expressed herself through vibrant portraits and paintings, using art as a means of storytelling and self-advocacy. Lois 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 artists, like Lois, fostering community, and celebrating the power of creativity as a force for change.

Together, the works on display affirm that disabled women and nonbinary people are not only part of history—they are actively shaping it through art.

Disability EmpowHer Network is an equal partner in this program.

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
  • Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
  • Location: Education Hallway, Plough Entrance, Green Building
  • Admission: Free and open to the community

More information: https://toledomuseum.org/exhibitions/disabled-women-make-history-and-art

ABOUT THE TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART 

Established in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) is a beloved cultural institution in Toledo, Ohio, and a global leader in the museum field. Its renowned collection features over 25,000 works, ranging from antiquity to contemporary art, and has one of the finest collections of glass in the world. Situated on a 40-acre campus, TMA integrates art into people’s lives through its world-class collection, engaging exhibitions, robust educational programs, and community outreach. 

Admission and parking to TMA are always free, welcoming everyone to explore the museum’s galleries. TMA is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and select holidays. TMA is located at 2445 Monroe St., just one block off I-75, with exit signs posted for easy access. For more information, call 419-255-8000 or visit toledomuseum.org.

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