Meetup with Artist Kari Miller: To Whom It May Concern
📅 February 21 | ⏰ 10:00 AM
Join artist Kari Miller for a meetup connected to her exhibition To Whom It May Concern at the Towson University Holtzman Gallery, 2nd floor. Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP required:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/downsyndromeassocmaryland/event/towhomitmayconcern/
To Whom It May Concern is an ongoing conversation that explores the history of institutionalizing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), its continued impact on society, and public institutions. Kari Miller dives into the beautiful and horrendous history of the Rosewood Training School for the Feeble Minded, formerly located in Owings Mills, Maryland, from 1889 until 2009.
Kari shows that the history of institutionalization persists via a culture of ableism through devaluing people. Working together with her daughter Ani, they create large colorful prints and paintings that give visibility to Ani’s abilities, personality, and personhood. The prints are open letters - calling into discussion comments and experiences of ableism in their everyday life.
The Towson exhibition will narrow the focus to experiences within our educational institutions. Kari gives space for educators to share how inclusive practices impact them and their students, alongside parents of children with disabilities and disabled adults who share their experiences of inclusion and discrimination in educational systems. The immersive audio invites the audience to dissect the joys and frustrations surrounding educational practices.
To Whom It May Concern showcases the beauty of community inclusion while challenging the audience to search their own ableist ideas and to consider how current educational politics will impact generations to come.
Artist Bios:
Ani Miller is a rambunctious 6-year-old who loves to dance, go to school, hug, practice flash cards, and eat ice cream. She hates math, worksheets, and being still. Ani has Down syndrome, which is in every cell of her body, but only tells a small part of who she is. She dreams of being a teacher, professional hugger, ASL interpreter, chef, artist, and mom.
Kari Miller is an interdisciplinary artist who loves playing in the dirt and sleeping in on rainy days. She hates unloading the dishwasher and silly paperwork. Kari is currently working in collaboration with her daughter, Ani, exploring disability history, visibility, and its lasting impacts on individuals and families. Kari dreams of a day when everyone is seen as a valuable part of our society.
Free parking on the Towson University Campus on weekends.
You may also like the following events from Down Syndrome Association of Maryland:
Also check out other
Arts events in Towson,
Meetups in Towson,
Exhibitions in Towson.
