04/11/2026
TOMORROW: Accessible Expressions Ohio 2026 is about to make its debut!
What: Accessible Expressions Ohio Opening Reception
Where: Butler Institute of American Art
When: April 12, 2026
Reception Hours: 1 - 3 PM
Exhibition on view at the Butler: April 12 - June 7
Schedule of Events: April 12, 2026
1 PM - 2 PM: Check out the 58 pieces of incredible art by Ohio artists from every corner of the state. Meet the artists, Art Possible Ohio staff, and community partners.
Drop-In Workshop: Make Recovery Flags for Health and Healing with the Remember Love Project, led by founder, artist, and Youngstown Native, Patty Bode
1 PM - 1:45 PM: Performance by local band, The Feral Cats
2 PM - 3 PM: 2026 Accessible Expressions Ohio Awards Ceremony
Drop-In Workshop:
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.
Patty Bode is the 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. 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. Her career as an art educator encompasses art teaching in public schools, and leadership as a school principal, as well as university settings as a professor, coordinator of teacher education, assistant dean, and researcher. 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.
Feral Cats Performance:
The Feral Cats are a band from Youngstown, Ohio. Established in 2016, The Feral Cats is 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!
Awards Ceremony:
Join us for the second half of the reception for an awards ceremony to honor all 58 artists and their friends and family! We will be revealing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each artist category, as well as a few special award category winners.
Accessibility:
Audio description
ASL
Tactile Artwork
Quiet Room
Braille
Parking:
The Butler Institute has free parking on site at the Museum, and at the parking garage directly across from the building. There is a drop-off zone with a ramp at the main entrance.
Questions:
Contact Lina@ArtPossibleOhio.org
Call 380.799.6253(MAKE)
