Accessible Expressions Ohio Opening

Art Possible Ohio is thrilled to announce the 30th anniversary of Accessible Expressions Ohio, a statewide exhibition featuring artwork by 58 Ohio artists with disabilities.

On April 12th 2026, the exhibition and opening reception of Accessible Expressions Ohio are being held at the Butler Institute of American Art.

Join us for an afternoon of food, fellowship, and a celebration of art.

 

What: Accessible Expressions Ohio Opening Reception and Award’s Ceremony: Celebrating 31 years

Where: The Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave, Youngstown, Ohio 44502

When: April 12, 2026, 1-3 PM.

Cost: Free

 

Accessibility Info

• ASL
• Audio Description
• Braille
• Quiet Room/Sensory Room
• Tactile Artwork

 

Parking Information

On-Site Parking:

A free parking lot is located directly adjacent to the museum building for all visitors. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Overflow/Event Parking:

During select large-scale events, the F1 Parking Lot on the YSU campus may also be available at no cost. This lot is just a short walk from the museum on the corner of University Plaza and Bryson Streets. Because this option is only offered occasionally, we will post updates on our website and social media when the F1 lot is open for a specific event.

For More Information About Parking

 

1-2 PM: Fellowship, Food, and Artmaking

Drop-In Workshop: Make Recovery Flags for Health and Healing

With the Remember Love Recovery Project, destigmatize addiction disorder through art and gain 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! 

About Patty

Patty Bode is founder of the Remember Love Recovery Project, a nonprofit charitable organization, 501c3 whose mission is to use art, education and human connection to destigmatize addiction disorder and end overdose. Born and raised on the Northside of Youngstown, Ohio, Patty is thrilled to return to the Butler which shaped her young artist soul and propelled her future in art education in the neighborhood that taught her the value of human connection.

Performance: Youngstown band, The Feral Cats

About the Feral Cats

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! 

2- 3 PM: Award Ceremony

Join Art Possible Ohio for a reception on April 12th 2026, recognizing our Arts Partners in Accessibility, all 58 Accessible Expressions Ohio artists, and this year’s award winners. The ceremony will include a special performance by the Feral Cats

 

Event Image Description

 

Promotional image purple with white blocks reading Accessible Expressions Ohio Opening Reception + Awards Ceremony. The Butler Institute of American Art 524 Wick Ave | Youngstown, Ohio 44502 April 12th, 1-3 PM, 2026. On the right 3 works are featured. A purple abstract piece with black lines “Lines by Charlie Long” A blue and peach abstract “Peach Harvest by Andy Kirkpatrick” and a purple and rainbow abstract “Nature’s Frequency by Megan Beatty”

 

Questions? Email Lina@ArtPossibleOhio or call 380.799. 6253 (MAKE)

The Butler Institute of American Art

#AEO26

#31Years