Hi, I’m Emily Holtrop, the museum’s director of learning & interpretation and the on-site curator for Accessible Expressions Ohio. I will be reading the introduction to the exhibition.  

One of the most accessible and diverse art presentations ever displayed at the Cincinnati Art Museum, Accessible Expressions Ohio welcomes artists of all ages with disabilities to share their creativity with visitors. Representing Youth, Emerging, and Professional artists, a panel of practicing artists, educators, and arts administrators selected the works on view from 165 submissions. These jurors also selected those works of art to receive an award.  

The museum is excited to host this annual celebration of Ohio artists. This opportunity comes to us as part of our long-term partnership with Art Possible Ohio, a statewide nonprofit that “works 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.” 

Hi, I’m Emily Holtrop, the museum’s director of learning & interpretation. I will be reading a description of Interrupted by Flint Garrabrant in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Interrupted is a mixed-media artwork by Flint Garrabrant, a professional artist from Columbus. It measures 14 by 17 inches.

A horizontally oriented, two-dimensional mixed media work, Interrupted, weaves together several images to create the final composition. A black and white photograph of a light-skinned middle-aged man is on a faded red ground. The man looks to his left, his eyes cast down. Interwoven with this image are strips pulled from a “Teacher Performance Evaluation Rubric.” The artist highlights various terms for impact. The words “Tardy to School Pass” are the most impactful, printed in large black letters in the lower left of the work.  

Hi, I’m Emily Holtrop, the museum’s director of learning & interpretation. I will be reading the artist statement for Interrupted by Flint Garrabrant in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

 Interrupted is a mixed-media artwork by Flint Garrabrant, a professional artist from Columbus. It measures 14 by 17 inches.  

“As an educator with ADHD, I have found life post-COVID to be a challenge. My mind, while needing structure to function, rebels against it in search of new and interesting things to ’chase the dopamine.' I am often building systems and structures to create a consistent pattern to order my life to find success. Most days, there are unnumbered tasks, events, and individuals that force the pattern to break down. The flow is interrupted, the train derailed. Each day, I must find myself again amidst the chaos. I must see through the glitches in the system to order the world around myself. These interruptions weave in and out of my day, creating their own pattern atop mine. When the work is done, something new has been created. Not what was expected, for better or worse, but worth reflecting on. Tomorrow, the process begins anew.” 

Hi, I’m Sara Birkofer, the museum’s assistant director of gallery and accessibility programs. I will be reading a description for Get Out by Stephanie Hinders in Accessible Expressions Ohio.  

Get Out is a charcoal drawing by Stephanie Hinders, an emerging artist from Powell. It measures 13 and one-half by 17 and one-half inches.

Get Out is a vertically oriented drawing. In this image, a light-skinned young woman throws her head back so only her chin, neck, and bare upper chest are visible. The subject raises her hands to her neck in a claw-like fashion, digging her nails into the flesh. ` 

Hi, I’m Sara Birkofer, the museum’s assistant director of gallery and accessibility programs. I will be reading the artist statement for Get Out by Stephanie Hinders in Accessible Expressions Ohio.  

Get Out is a charcoal drawing by Stephanie Hinders, an emerging artist from Powell. It measures 13 and one-half by 17 and one-half inches.

“It feels as though I’ve spent the last 20 years trying to break out of a cage—as if the ‘correct’ version of myself is trapped inside with no way out. It’s this desperate feeling of wanting to crawl out of my skin. Unable to quiet the chaos, if just temporarily. This piece is one of the many moments when depression feels like fighting against quicksand, losing a daily battle against what feels like an unbeatable opponent.” 

Hi, I’m Sara Birkofer, the museum’s assistant director of gallery and accessibility programs. I will be reading a description for It's Time to Get Up by Saya Amend in Accessible Expressions Ohio.  

It’s Time to Get Up is an oil painting on Bristol board by Saya Amend, an emerging artist from Cincinnati. It measures 11 by 11 inches. 

 In the square painting, It’s Time to Get Up, the artist has created a monochromatic scene using tones of gray and black. A low-backed couch takes up much of the scene. A crumpled blanket and pillow are evident on it as if someone just vacated the space. In the background and to the right is a digital clock that reads 10:40. In the upper left, a large window serves as the space's only light source. The second story of a house and trees are visible through the window.  

Hi, I’m Sara Birkofer, the museum’s assistant director of gallery and accessibility programs. I will be reading the artist statement for It's Time to Get Up by Saya Amend in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

It’s Time to Get Up is an oil painting on Bristol board by Saya Amend, an emerging artist from Cincinnati. It measures 11 by 11 inches.

“A lot of my work is based around mental health and how it feels. This piece depicts my bed on a day when it felt extremely heavy to get up and out. I wanted this to feel like a dark place in my mind because that's how it feels sometimes.” 

Hi, I’m David Grimes, Proofreading Supervisor at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading a description of My Father’s Words by Minnie Lucas in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

My Father’s Words is a photograph by Minnie Lucas, an emerging artist from Columbus. It measures 16 by 24 inches.

My Father’s Words is a vertically oriented black and white photograph. Here, the artist has taken a self-portrait of herself looking off to her right while gripping the front of her hair in her right hand. The artist is a light-skinned young woman with light, shoulder-length curly hair. She is wearing a dark tank top and a large circular pendant around her neck. Hand-written over this portrait are the words, “Why don’t you like country music? You like Johnny Cash! I always have a reason to yell! Hurry up! I have a lot of things to do today! I didn’t tell you it was a goose because I knew you wouldn’t try it! Quit it with the MEAN LOOKS!!! Why don’t you lighten up! You weren’t very happy with Walt today were you!”

Hi, I’m David Grimes, Proofreading Supervisor at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading the artist statement for My Father’s Words by Minnie Lucas in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

 My Father’s Words is a photograph by Minnie Lucas, an emerging artist from Columbus. It measures 16 by 24 inches.  

“My father was very controlling, verbally, and psychologically abusive to me my whole life. This past year, I have been creating art to help me heal from the trauma and anger he has caused. I wrote down everything he said that affected me and double-exposed it over my face. Everything I wrote down has a story behind it. These stories go through my head on a daily basis. There are times when I have dreams about these events that have happened. I wanted to show sadness, anxiety, frustration, and anger. This is how I have felt in the past and feel when I think of the stories or think of him.” 

Hi, I’m David Grimes, Proofreading Supervisor at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading a description of Zorya by Heather Moore in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Zorya is a sculpture created from a duck egg, batik dye, beeswax, and a vintage egg box. It is by Heather Moore, a professional artist from Columbus. It measures five by three by three inches.

 In the three-dimensional sculpture, the artist captures a portrait of a light-skinned woman with closed eyes, a full red mouth, and wavy hair on a large duck egg that sits on a circular black base. This portrait of Zorya, also the work's title, is encased in a glass box with the egg visible from three sides. The interior back and base of the box are light blue. The box is decorated with an abstract print of circles and lines in dark blue on an ochre-yellow ground.  

Hi, I’m David Grimes, Proofreading Supervisor at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired.. I will be reading a description of Vase with Colored Dots by Kevin Kurre in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

Vase with Colored Dots is a ceramic vessel with glaze by Kevin Kurre, a youth artist from Cincinnati. It measures eight by four by three inches.

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Hi, I’m David Grimes, Proofreading Supervisor at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading the artist statement for Vase with Colored Dots by Kevin Kurre in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

Vase with Colored Dots is ceramic vessel with glaze by Kevin Kurre a youth artist from Cincinnati. It measures eight by four by three inches.

“I started working with clay this year. I think clay is hard to work with. It is messy and dusty. Sometimes, it falls apart, and sometimes, it is too wet or too dry. I liked making this coil pot because I could create several different types of coils. I liked using the underglazes because it was like painting, which is my favorite material to use.”

Hi, I’m Whitney Saunders, the Assistant Director of Accessibility Resources at the University of Cincinnati. I will be reading a description of Outer Voice/Inner Thoughts by Sheree Green in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

Outer Voice/Inner Thoughts is a kinetic sculpture crafted from paper and wire. It is by Sheree Green, an emerging artist from Westerville. It measures 14 by 16 by 14 inches.

A mobile sculpture, Outer Voice/Inner Thoughts, combines a wooden artist's model hand with wire and paper. The hand holds onto the end of a black wire from which several arms balance. At the end of each arm, an organic paper shape dangles. On the surface of each shape is a word balloon with the following phrases: “I Am Strong,” “I am hopeless,” “I lean on faith,” “I fail at everything,” “I doubt my instincts,” “I am confused.”  These phrases are written on either a black or white word balloon.

Hi, I’m Whitney Saunders, the Assistant Director of Accessibility Resources at the University of Cincinnati I will be reading the artist statement for Outer Voice/Inner Thoughts by Sheree Green in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

Outer Voice/Inner Thoughts is a kinetic sculpture crafted from paper and wire. It is by Sheree Green, an emerging artist from Westerville. It measures 14 by 16 by 14 inches.

“I live with a condition previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder, but with further understanding now called Dissociative Identity Disorder. Throughout my life, art has provided avenues toward recovery and healing, and sharing expressions of my inner world has helped in many ways. Since the day in sixth grade when I saw a photo on the cover of our Weekly Reader magazine of a graceful mobile created by Alexander Calder, I have been enthralled with mobiles—viewing them, creating them, and teaching how to make them. The miracle of achieving perfect balance while maintaining total freedom of movement for every part has held my fascination for almost 60 years. This mobile represents the shifts and changes in the words I speak to the outer world versus

Hi, I’m Whitney Saunders, the Assistant Director of Accessibility Resources at the University of Cincinnati. I will be reading a description of Healthy Pickens by Steve Edinger in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Healthy Pickens is a mixed-media sculpture by Steve Edinger, a professional artist from Athens. It measures 29 and one-eighth by seven and one-eighth inches.

Taking the form of a string instrument, Healthy Pickens, has a slim rectangular body with a sound hole covered by white mesh. The neck is rounded and ends with three tuning knobs. There are three strings stretched from these knobs to the fretboard on the body of the instrument. The entire sculpture is a medium orange wood-toned color with hints of green and bronze.  

Hi, I’m Whitney Saunders, the Assistant Director of Accessibility Resources at the University of Cincinnati. I will be reading the artist statement for Healthy Pickens by Steve Edinger in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Healthy Pickens is a mixed-media sculpture by Steve Edinger, a professional artist from Athens. It measures 29 and one-eighth by seven and one-eighth inches.  

“Ohio born and bred, this piece says a lot about health and what I did to recover from my neck surgery. The handle is burnt to bring out the lines in the wood. Music has always been a remedy for crying babies, soothing mental pains. Therefore, I have no better title than Healthy Pickins as my entry for this year's special category, and yes, you can play it, but I prefer not ‘till after the show.” 

Hi, I’m Seana Higgins, Education Director at Visionaries and Voices. I will be reading a description of Gilden Tranquility by Rick Fravor in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Gilded Tranquility is an acrylic on canvas painting by Rick Fravor, a professional artist from Toledo. It measures 12 by 36 inches.

This long, horizontally oriented landscape painting, titled Gilded Tranquility, captures a range of mountains, trees, and a body of water at sunrise or sunset. On the left side of the painting, two triangular-shaped mountains rise out of a wooded riverbank. These mountains are set back and take up the midground and background of the picture. On the right, another range of mountains recede into the background. The river encompasses the foreground and narrows between the two mountain ranges. In the far distance, the sun is on the horizon. The sky glows a rich gold. A lone boat and angler are included in the center of the river.  

Hi, I’m Seana Higgins, Education Director at Visionaries and Voices. I will be reading the artist statement for Gilden Tranquility by Rick Fravor in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

 Gilded Tranquility is an acrylic on canvas painting by Rick Fravor, a professional artist from Toledo. It measures 12 by 36 inches.  

“Gilded Tranquility captures serene moments in nature. As we navigate life’s challenges, this piece serves as a reminder to seek solace and nurture our mental well-being. The golden hues symbolize the enduring beauty in moments of serenity, providing a visual retreat for the soul.” 

Hi, I’m Seana Higgins, Education Director at Visionaries and Voices. I will be reading a description of Maya Floating by Jacs Fishburne in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Maya Floating is a photo by Jacs Fishburne, a professional artist from Columbus. It measures six by eight inches, nine by 12 inches framed.

As the title suggests, this horizontally oriented, almost square, color photograph captures Maya floating. Here, a light-skinned young woman with dark hair and a slight smile, wearing a white slip, is photographed floating face up outdoors in a body of water. Her arms are stretched wide, and her entire form, except her lower legs, is visible under the water. The figure is in the center of the image. To her left, green plants grow out of the water. In the upper left corner, the sun reflects on the water’s surface.  

Hi, I’m Seana Higgins, Education Director at Visionaries and Voices. I will be reading the artist statement for Maya Floating by Jacs Fishburne in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

Maya Floating is a photo by Jacs Fishburne, a professional artist from Columbus. It measures six by eight inches, nine by 12 inches framed.

“In case one needs a mental reset, try floating.” 

Hi, I’m Seana Higgins, Education Director at Visionaries and Voices. I will be reading a description of In Bloom by Jennifer Scholl in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

In Bloom is mixed media with acrylic painting by Jennifer Scholl, an emerging artist from Dayton. It measures ten by ten inches.  

In Bloom is a colorful square painting. The artist captures an over-life-size figure on the right in this imaginative landscape. This person, a female, is light-skinned with shoulder-length brown hair, a closed mouth smile, and googly eyes. The body is decorated with a large purple, pink, and red floral pattern. A large red heart with rays is included on the figure’s chest. Her right arm is extended, and from it, a rainbow arches over her head—the word “life” written at the base. The figure stands on a black base with the word “joyful” printed on it. A small figure sits on the base. This scene is all positioned on blue waves in which additional figures are evident. Three brown triangular mountains rise in the background, and in the sky, a white and gold comet streaks across the sky.  

Hi, I’m Seana Higgins, Education Director at Visionaries and Voices. I will be reading the artist statement for In Bloom by Jennifer Scholl in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

In Bloom is mixed media with acrylic painting by Jennifer Scholl, an emerging artist from Dayton. It measures ten by ten inches.  

“Jen Scholl is an artist who grew up and resides in Dayton with her husband, Aaron, and their cat, Ninja. She loves to explore a variety of art mediums, including acrylics, watercolor, pastels, and photography. Art has and continues to be a form of expression, coping, connection, and joy. This helps her to stay present and grateful for all of life's ’ordinary’ beautiful moments. In short, art is the voice Jen never had. Creating art is the empowering vehicle for growth and her slowly emerging resilience.” 

Hi, I’m Kim McEachirn, braille proofreader at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading a description of Bicentennial Park by Marianne Philip in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Bicentennial Park is a mixed-media painting by Marianne Philip, an emerging artist from Columbus. It measures 26 by 32 by 1 inches. 

 It is a rainy day in the horizontally oriented painting, Bicentennial Park, where the artist captures a central fountain with water spewing from a tall circular basin into a more significant repository. Around the fountain, several figures dressed in black hold colorful umbrellas over their heads. In the background, tall, abstract buildings cover the skyline. The entire painting has a silvery sheen, making the image appear snowy or mist

Hi, I’m Kim McEachirn, braille proofreader at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading the artist statement for Bicentennial Park by Marianne Philip in Accessible Expressions Ohio.

Bicentennial Park is a mixed-media painting by Marianne Philip, an emerging artist from Columbus. It measures 26 by 32 by 1 inches.

“As a self-taught artist, I let my creativity flow, trying not to have any preconceived ideas about the end result. This allows my results to be raw and unfiltered. I hope that others experience that escape and feel as if they can take their minds to the settings within each piece. Before the pandemic, I was drawn to darker colors and shadows. My process of creation had always been, and continues to be, a refuge from my past and present struggles with opioid addiction as well as from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Since the start of the pandemic, I have experienced increased isolation and loneliness. Since spending more time on my own social distancing, my creativity and productivity have increased. I now find myself drawn to brighter colors, in contrast with the bleak reality we are all living in. I wake up at first light and work on art projects, and I continue all day until nightfall! The pandemic has taught me that I can find my creative sanctuary regardless of what is going on with the world and no matter what tools I have at my disposal.” 

Hi, I’m Kim McEachirn, braille proofreader at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading a description of Collision Impending by Sarah Misinec in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Collision Impending is a spray paint and pencil painting by Sarah Misinec, a youth artist from Jefferson. It measures one foot, 20 inches by one foot, 15 inches. [32 x 27 inches] We travel to space in Collision Impending, a horizontally oriented painting.

In the center of the work, a large blue and purple sphere with a yellow dot is surrounded on the right by a misty white cloud. To the right of this sphere, almost running into it, a swath of purple and black stretches from the bottom center of the painting and up the right side. A medium-sized orb and a smaller orb, both light purple, are part of the band of color. This entire scene is on a black ground with flecks of white.  

Hi, I’m Kim McEachirn, braille proofreader at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading the artist statement for Collision Impending by Sarah Misinec in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Collision Impending is a spray paint and pencil painting by Sarah Misinec, a youth artist from Jefferson. It measures one foot, 20 inches by one foot, 15 inches. [32 x 27 inches] 

“Much of space is unknown to us, and therefore, endless possibilities await us.” 

Hi, I’m Kim McEachirn, braille proofreader at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading a description of Blue Lines and Pink Dots by Devon Brandenburg in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Blue Lines and Pink Dots is an acrylic painting by Devon Brandenburg, a youth artist from Cincinnati. It measures 14 by 18 inches.

This horizontally oriented abstract painting, Blue Lines and Pink Dots, is a riot of color. Here, the artist captures an abstract scene of intersecting curved lines in royal blue, circles in pink and light blue, and swaths of red and yellow. None of the lines or forms are straight, creating a very organic and fluid composition.  

Hi, I’m Kim McEachirn, braille proofreader at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading the artist statement for Blue Lines and Pink Dots by Devon Brandenburg in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Blue Lines and Pink Dots is an acrylic painting by Devon Brandenburg, a youth artist from Cincinnati. It measures 14 by 18 inches.

“I like to paint, but I love to draw the most. My favorite color is pink. I like to draw cartoon characters. I used cardboard and paintbrushes to put paint on this painting. I prefer to only use paintbrushes. I added many layers of paint and even added a paint pen. I like this painting because there is so much going on.” 

Hi, I’m Kim McEachirn, braille proofreader at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading a description of Harpy by Kristin Morris in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Harpy is a mixed media, ceramic, acrylic, glass, and resin sculpture by Kristin Morris, a professional artist from Columbus. It measures 17 by nine by seven inches.

In this large, imaginative sculpture, the artist gives form to the harpy of the title. Here, a white and gray bird-like figure, reminiscent of an owl, meets a monster-like face with jagged yellow teeth, a hooked beak, two large, deep-set bulging round golden eyes, and two horns sticking out the top of its head. The creature has two large three-taloned feet with sharp claws. Its wings are tucked closely against its body.  

Hi, I’m Kim McEachirn, braille proofreader at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. I will be reading the artist statement for Harpy by Kristin Morris in Accessible Expressions Ohio. 

Harpy is a mixed media, ceramic, acrylic, glass and resin sculpture by Kristin Morris, a professional artist from Columbus. It measures 17 by nine by seven inches.

“I am a sculptor and mixed media artist primarily working in clay and found objects. I was exposed to ceramics in my early childhood when I made and sold small ceramic animals. I later pursued a studio art degree before attending art school, majoring in illustration. I am inspired by fantasy, folklore, fairytales, and illustration. This ceramic piece is based on the ‘owl/woman harpy’ from folklore. However, it bears more semblance to an owl. ‘She’ has resin fangs and glass eyes, which give her a spooky, otherworldly appearance. The feathers are sculpted up and down her back wings and also cover her claws. The addition of the found objects makes her more ’realistic.’ Sculpting small details really helps with my severe OCD, and I crave the sense of concentration and order that it brings, which in turn helps my anxiety!”