design & art to eliminate the gap between what's possible and what's expected for disability representation
Organized by the BGSU School of Art for the Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery

"I'm not a patient person, but I'm willing to take the long view when I have to.  We're making things better by doing the work of gathering the data we need, which will eventually make things more accessible. We will eventually change lives, and we will eventually destroy the gap.”

—Sheri Wells-Jensen after her first parabolic flight with other disabled researchers for AstroAccess

DESTROY THE GAP is an exhibition of contemporary designers and artists working in all media engaged in disability discourse. We are seeking submissions of creative work by members affiliated with the disability community—those who identify as disabled, as well as care workers and allies. With this exhibition, we intend to reveal the yawning chasm between the lived experience of disabled people and the lagging expectations of the not-yet-disabled. Our goal is to create a comprehensive and immersive experience for all attendees filled with objects that fall into the following categories and themes:

Design & Art objects by Disabled People
Design & Art objects for Disabled People
Focused on Disability Justice, our Lived Experiences, Radical Futures, & Beloved Community

Application Requirements

All submitted work must be original. Work will be electronically reviewed by a panel of jurors who represent arts curation, administration, and creation. Designers and artists will be notified of accepted submissions by March 24, 2023. Work will need to be submitted to the gallery by April 28th. All creators will receive logistical and curatorial support from the professional staff at the Uber Bryan Gallery.

Eligibility Criteria

We strongly encourage submissions from diverse communities and cultural backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, Brown, and Queer communities.