Meet Helyn Marshall, Accessibility Manager

ERIK PEPPLE, CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Helyn Marshall, the Wex’s accessibility manager, has been with the center since 2005. She was a familiar and welcoming face as head of our house management team, but in 2019 made the shift to the newly established accessibility manager position. Marshall, in her words below, talks about the importance of this role and what she brings to it as the center moves to offer greater access to all patrons, for all programs—both in person and online. “The field of accessibility, when focused on disability access, aims to reduce or remove barriers in order to ensure every individual has equal opportunity to participate in life, to go and do, and be human in varied environments. It means being interested in adaptations and exploring a lot of gray areas to discover what works for each person who has an accommodation need. Sometimes it’s something as simple as having the ability to sit for part of a performance rather than the need to stand and endure having a pain-body because of an inflexible environment. Sometimes solutions can be more complex, with layers of support or adaptations needed for an individual to have the same opportunity to fully engage with the content of an event. It’s not all about physical access, though a lot of accessibility work does tend to orient around the physical in an environment-dependent context. There are other aspects to working in the field of accessibility where identities intersect. Not one single person on Earth only has one identity—we are a multitude within ourselves and that should be acknowledged and respected at least. Really, it should be celebrated and honored. So work in the field of accessibility can hopefully answer questions such as ‘can I get there?’ and ‘will I be able to participate?’ while also being deeply grounded in ‘do I belong here?’, ‘can I contribute?’, and ‘am I valued?’

The thing is, this pandemic, for as awful as it has been, has done massive work to foreground digital accessibility needs and pushed this work forward on a national level as we learn to cope and find new ways to connect more fully while remaining at home.”

The Wexner Center strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you have questions about accessibility or require an accommodation such as captioning or ASL interpretation, please contact Helyn at accessibility@wexarts.org or via telephone at (614) 688-3890.

SPRING EVENTS

In the galleries or online, there’s more to discover at the Wex. Head to wexarts.org for a complete lineup of virtual screenings, performances, workshops, talks, and more. Note that many online events remain available after their debut.

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THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Installation view of Climate Changing: On Artists, Institutions, and the Social Environment. Pictured: Artist Residency Award recipient Torkwase Dyson’s Dark Black (Bird and Lava), 2021.

Raja Feather Kelly, HYSTERIA, photo: Kate Enman.

Teju Cole, photo: Maggie Janik.

Taryn Simon, image © and courtesy of the artist.

małni—towards the ocean, towards the shore, image courtesy of Grasshopper Films.

Exhibitions

Climate Changing: On Artists, Institutions, and the Social Environment At the Wex through Aug 15

Film/Video

DOCUMENTARY małni—towards the ocean, towards the shore (Sky Hopinka, 2020) On wexarts.org Fri, May 21–Thu, June 17

ZOOM DRIVE-IN E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (Steven Spielberg, 1982) At the South Drive-In Theatre, 3050 South High St., on Sun, June 6

ARTIST RESIDENCY AWARD PROJECT Cinetracts ’20 On wexarts.org through 2021

Performing Arts

INTERDISCIPLINARY Raja Feather Kelly HYSTERIA

On wexarts.org starting Wed, June 2

Learning & Public Practice

LAMBERT FAMILY LECTURE Taryn Simon in Conversation with Teju Cole On wexarts.org through 2021

DIRECTOR’S DIALOGUE ON ART AND SOCIAL CHANGE How Do We Get Well? On Public Health and Safety featuring Cameron A. Granger, Baseera Khan, Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, and Kyle Strickland moderated by Autumn Glover On wexarts.org Office Hours On wexarts.org Mon, May 31, June 28, and July 26 | 11:30 am

Free gallery admission every Sunday made possible by AEP Foundation!

Thanks to a generous contribution from the American Electric Power Foundation, the Wex is thrilled to offer free gallery admission every Sunday in 2021. Already a consistent supporter of the Wex, the foundation has made this special gift to bolster the center’s efforts to expand arts access. Wex Executive Director Johanna Burton notes, “We’re excited to work with the AEP Foundation toward its goal of enriching life through art, and we’re honored to be chosen as a partner in this effort. The foundation’s gift removes a financial barrier to experiencing the innovative work of our exhibition curators and encourages visitors to return often.”

Support the Wex

Just as your commitment helps our programming bloom in response to the current national emergency, it also means the Wex can support artists making new works via our residencies and commissions. Your gift or membership also deepens our ability to offer acclaimed programs for youth, family, and the entire community. Go to wexarts.org/give to donate today or wexarts.org/join to become a member.

Our Mission

This magazine is published three times a year by the Wexner Center for the Arts, The Ohio State University’s multidisciplinary, international laboratory for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art. Through exhibitions, screenings, performances, artist residencies, and education programs, the Wexner Center acts as a forum where established and emerging artists can test ideas and where diverse audiences can participate in cultural experiences that enhance the understanding of the art of our time. In its programs, the Wexner Center balances a commitment to experimentation with a commitment to traditions of innovation and affirms the university’s mission of education, research, and community service.

The Wexner Center for the Arts is part of The Ohio State University and receives major institutional support from the university.

PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY WEXNER CENTER FOUNDATION Leslie H. Wexner, Chair Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, Vice Chair Bill Lambert, President Trustees David M. Aronowitz Lisa M. Barton Jeni Britton Bauer Johanna Burton Paige Crane Adam R. Flatto Michael Glimcher Brett Kaufman Elizabeth P. Kessler C. Robert Kidder Nancy Kramer Mark D. Kvamme Ronald A. Pizzuti Pete Scantland Joyce Shenk Alex Shumate Abigail S. Wexner Sue Zazon Ex Officio Ann Hamilton Bruce A. McPheron Gretchen Ritter Bruce A. Soll, Treasurer Mark E. Vannatta, Secretary

SENIOR PROGRAMMING STAFF Johanna Burton Executive Director Megan Cavanaugh Chief Operating Officer Lane Czaplinski Director of Performing Arts Dionne Custer Edwards Director of Learning & Public Practice David Filipi Director of Film/Video Bill Horrigan Curator at Large Jennifer Lange Curator of Film/Video Studio Program

PUBLICATION STAFF Mary Abowd Associate Editor Sylke Krell Production Manager Kendall Markley Senior Graphic Designer Nisiqi Graphic Designer Erik Pepple Chief Communications Officer Ryan Shafer Publications Editor Melissa Starker Creative Content and Public Relations Manager

wex in practice

WEXNER CENTER FOR THE ARTS | THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | 1871 NORTH HIGH STREET | COLUMBUS, OHIO 43210-1393

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COLUMBUS OHIO PERMIT NO 711

Spring 2021 Issue | Passages

volume 1, number 2