Accessible Expressions Ohio
Started in 1996, Accessible Expressions Ohio is an adjudicated, statewide exhibition and tour of visual art for artists of all ages with disabilities. This professional development opportunity helps raise awareness about art and disability by presenting the art in inclusive settings.
The AEO tour begins with an opening ceremony early in the year where awards are given for first, second and third place in each category, including Best in Show and People’s Choice. Following the opening ceremony, the exhibit goes on tour across Ohio through December.
“What I love about the [AEO] exhibit is the variety and diversity of both the artwork itself as well as the special artists who created it!”
– Anitra, Medina
2013 Accessible Expressions Ohio Award Winners
This year's call for submission yielded almost 150 entries and after a difficult selection process, jurors selected 75 pieces for inclusion in the 2013 tour. Congratulations to the following artists who adjudicators selected for awards in their categories.
Best in Show
The Big-Eared Bats of Charlottesville, Acrylic Charlotte McGraw, Columbus
People's Choice Honorable Mention
(Left) Wide Eyed Winnie, Ceramic, John Emanuele, Grandview Heights
(Right) Mid-Century Modern, Acrylic, Jon Stewart, Grandview Heights
Youth Category
(From left to right)
1st Place Petropolis, Acrylic, Lucas Feruito, Medina
2nd Place The Bird That Protects Me While I Sleep. Acrylic, Nathanael Curtiss, Worthington
3rd Place Party in a Box, Mixed Media, Ian Getha, Ostrander
Emerging Category
(From left to right)
1st Place Fancy Frank, Acrylic, Jessica Wallace, Grandview Heights
2nd Place Beethoven in the Forest, Mixed Media, Stephanie Spencer, Wendi Olszewski, Jill Davis, Columbus
3rd Place The Quilt of Elizabeth Brim, Recycled Tin, Concha Castaneda, Newark
Professional Category 
(From left to right)
1st Place Johnny Depp Jesus, Acrylic, Rosemary Matich, Columbus
2nd Place Electric City (NYC), Acrylic, Malcolm J, Columbus
3rd Place Istanbul Was Constantinople, Acrylic, Tony Hoover, Grandview Heights
Thank you to the following award sponsors for this year:
Steve and Robin Pleasnick
CaJacob Law Group
Greta Robertson
Howard and Donna Collins
Connie Page
Be a Tour Site - Bring AEO to your Community in 2013
Help inspire your community by partnering with VSA Ohio and hosting AEO. With flexible date availability, we make scheduling the exhibit easy. We can also adjust the number of pieces displayed to meet the needs of your space. VSA Ohio will provide a staff member to assist with installation and deinstallation. AEO has been displayed at libraries, government and corporate offices, galleries and conferences, and is a great way to increase the visual appeal of your space while also helping VSA Ohio raise awareness. For more information call 614.241.5325 or click the link above to download the Site Survey and return it to VSA Ohio.
2013 Tour Sites
April-May The Elise Sanford Gallery Athens
The Nisonger Center Columbus
June The Riffe Gallery Columbus
The Springfield Museum of Art Springfield
July The Springfield Museum of Art Springfield
Grange Insurance Columbus
Ohio State Fair Columbus
Art Affair On the Square Urbana
August Grange Insurance Columbus
Wild Goose Creative Columbus
Licking County Library Newark
September Grange Insurance Columbus
Sandusky Artisans Sandusky
Summit on 16th Church Columbus
October Beck Center for the Arts Lakewood
Sandusky Artisans Sandusky
Columbus State Community College Columbus
November Beck Center for the Arts Lakewood
Sandusky Artisans Sandusky
OCALICON Columbus
December Beck Center for the Arts Lakewood
Accessible Expressions Ohio 2012 Catalog (PDF) 2012 Gallery Guides (PDF)
