Art Explorers welcomes Disability Pride Month this July

Art Explorers in Mendocino County is marking its first Disability Pride Month in July with a series of events to honor the Disability Rights Movement and showcase the work of disabled artists. The observance, which began in 1990 alongside the Americans with Disabilities Act, aims to reject societal ableism and celebrate the diversity of disability experiences. The Disability Pride flag, designed in 2019 and modified in 2021, features six colors representing physical, cognitive, psychiatric, sensory, and invisible disabilities, with a charcoal background symbolizing systemic struggles. The celebration kicks off with *High Strangeness: A Cryptid Family Affair*, an exhibit by artist Chris Roddy running through June. In late June, *On the Map: Gathering Progressive Art Studios* opens at Artist Within-A Cedars Gallery in San Anselmo, featuring works from Art Explorers and studios like Alchemia, The Arc-Solano, and Becoming Independent. The exhibit runs until August 28. Art Explorers will also host a collaborative project with visiting artist Lu Daum from June 16–22, creating wearable art pieces displayed in their studio gallery through July. The month-long *HERE WE ARE, Disability Pride in California* exhibition at Art Explorers will showcase artwork from studios across the state, accompanied by talks and presentations to raise awareness. Program Director Maria Trombetta emphasized the month’s focus on visibility and community, while Marketing Coordinator Solange Roberdeau highlighted the shift from shame to celebration. Events aim to foster connections among disabled artists and advocate for inclusion in Mendocino County and beyond.