KU Libraries to present new exhibition highlighting disability studies

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Libraries’ newest exhibition, “Expanding the Canvas of Disability,” will open Sept. 22 in Watson Library’s Haricombe Gallery. The exhibition highlights the research and creative work of disability scholars across disciplines at KU.

“Expanding the Canvas of Disability” was created in conjunction with the 2022-23 KU Common Book, “Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century,” edited by disability activist Alice Wong. Reyma McCoy Hyten, disability activist and contributor to “Disability Visibility,” will present "Out of the Margins: Storytelling as a Pathway to Disability Visibility" at the opening reception. An online livestreaming of the event will be available for those who wish to attend virtually. 

“We want to be a part of the scholarly conversations currently underway across campus concerning disability,” said Sarah Goodwin Thiel, faculty & community engagement librarian and coordinator of the Haricombe Gallery. “We feel ‘Expanding the Canvas of Disability’ will be a rich addition to the multiple Common Book activities and events being planned for the coming year.”

The exhibition, on display in the recently updated Haricombe Gallery, will include a virtual exhibition story map, learning module and project display, all of which will be made available Sept. 22 on the Haricombe Gallery website. 

Haricombe Gallery exhibitions serve to highlight the broad range of creative work and research generated by KU and community scholars. “Expanding the Canvas of Disability” will showcase projects and scholarly work from some of the many schools and departments engaging in this work, including from KU Medical Center, the School of Education & Human Sciences and the Department of Theatre & Dance.

“We are very excited to showcase the many scholars on campus and in our community who are centering disability in their research,” Goodwin Thiel said. “I hope this exhibition and related events will resonate with viewers both on and off campus.”

The opening reception will take place at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 22 in Watson Library 3 West. McCoy Hyten will begin her presentation at 6:15 p.m., followed by a Q&A session. Register for the event online. For more information about the exhibition, please email Sarah Goodwin Thiel.