Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire recently hosted a unique art exhibition titled "Beyond the Gaze," curated by senior integrative visual arts major Josh Deutschlander, in collaboration with associate professor of art Jill Olm. The exhibition aimed to increase accessibility within the gallery and was inspired by Deutschlander's personal experiences as a disabled person in the arts.

"In the summer of 2023, I took an art history class with Jill Olm, and the representation of disabilities in the arts came up as a topic, along with the experience of taking in art as a person with a disability," Deutschlander said. He added that he was surprised when Olm encouraged him to create an exhibit around this theme at the Foster Gallery.

Olm heavily mentored Deutschlander throughout the 18-month preparation process but emphasized that they had full ownership of the project. "What Josh has done is pretty remarkable," Olm stated. She noted that they learned much about exhibit design and ways to make art more accessible both physically and conceptually.

Deutschlander reached out to artists who self-identify as having disabilities, resulting in participation from eight artists representing various aspects of the disabled community. The contributing artists included Kae Pershon (photography), Matt Bodett (painting), Victoria Dugger (mixed media and sculpture), Pooja Pittie (painting and fibers), Gwynneth VanLaven (photography), Alex Dolores Salerno (3D interdisciplinary art), Ayin Es (mixed media), and Clovis Blackwell (paint and printmaking).

Pershon and Bodett visited campus during the exhibit dates to discuss their work and experiences. "The campus artist talks with Kae Pershon and Matt Bodett were amazing," Deutschlander remarked.

To improve accessibility for all attendees, several accommodations were incorporated into the five-week exhibit. These included enhanced signage for accessible parking, expanded gallery space, increased seating options, lower wall heights for artworks, detailed written descriptions with assistive technology for audio descriptions, tactile pieces for visually impaired visitors, cushions for floor seating, and a sensory decompression space.

A new automated door opener was also installed at Haas Fine Arts Center's entrance closest to Water Street. This addition was made possible through efforts by Olm and Deutschlander after they informed Facilities about its necessity for bus riders with disabilities.

Katie Bublitz, director of Services for Students with Disabilities at UW-Eau Claire, praised Deutschlander and Olm's work on "Beyond the Gaze." She highlighted how their approach could serve as a model for future exhibitions by incorporating accessibility from inception rather than as an afterthought.

Foster Gallery director Amanda Bulger reported positive reactions from visitors regarding both the art and accommodations provided during "Beyond the Gaze." Comments in their guestbook indicated appreciation for these efforts along with suggestions for future adaptations.

Deutschlander expressed hope that increased accessibility would bring about change: "Every little step toward making the world more accessible is a step in the right direction."