The Show is a Twin Cities nonprofit that seeks to create accessibility in the arts, and to promote and unite artists of all abilities. Through collaboration with local businesses, arts organizations and artists we create opportunities for artists to share and sell their art.
Our Story
Winna Bernard, an artist, social worker, and President of The Show was inspired to create an accessible art space after seeing beautiful pieces of artwork created by artists with disabilities not being represented in art galleries or gift shops in the Twin Cities. The Show began its mission in 2014 in the back room of the Jax building in Lowertown. In 2015 we began an amazing partnership with another nonprofit, MSS. Together, we created The Show Gallery Lowertown. The Show Gallery Lowertown was an very successful partnership that showed the work of over 250 artists. And many sold their art!
The Show has supported artists from all walks of life and continues to do so. While the gallery in Lowertown has closed, the commitment to support artists of all abilities in sharing their art and selling it is still strong.
In 2021 artists began having the opportunity to show their art all over the Twin Cities. We continue the curation of intentionally inclusive exhibitions, but now these exhibits are in community places where people regularly gather. We curate art exhibitions that feature work by artists with and without disabilities side by side- without distinction.
Currently, we have six Inclusive Community Exhibit Venues.
Burnhaven Library-Burnsville
Bakken Museum- Minneapolis
Big River Pizza- Lowertown
CHS Field-Lowertown- Showing with the Saints
Each community venue is supported by one of our five volunteer Inclusive Community Curators. Each curator works closely with the venue in preparing and sending out calls of art for each exhibit. Each exhibit must include artists with disabilities. We make it our mission to eliminate barriers to participate for artists of all abilities and realize the financial challenges facing these artists. We do not charge submission fees or take commission.
Please let us know if you have a community space that’s needs art! info@theshowartgallery.org
We also realize the barrier to a Website/Online opportunities for artists with disabilities. We have to launched an exclusive marketplace platform on our website in 2023. We continue to add artists.
This marketplace exclusively features only artists with disabilities!
If you are interest in this free opportunity contact Winnabernard@theshowartgallery.org
Staff
Winna Bernard, Founder, The Show
Tara Tieso, Board President, The Show
Inclusive Community Curators:
Leah Bedford– Burnhaven Library and Big River Pizza
L’Andrae Bradley– TBD
Jodi Janz– The Bakken Muesum
Becca David– CHS Field-Showing with the Saints
Juan Parker- TBD
Catherine Palmer– Inclusive Community Curator support staff
