Space Dedicated to Exhibiting the Work of Artists with Disabilities Announces 2027 Schedule
Worcester, MA—September 22, 2026—The Worcester Art Museum (WAM) and Open Door Arts (ODA) announced the 2027 exhibition schedule for the organizations’ collaborative gallery space, located in the Museum’s Higgins Education Wing. The Open Door Gallery opened in 2017 at WAM as the first permanent gallery space in an art museum dedicated to exhibiting the work of artists with disabilities. Next spring, the organizations are marking the occasion with a special anniversary exhibition, in which 150 artists who have exhibited in the gallery over the past decade will be invited to contribute artworks. The Open Door Gallery is a partnership between the Worcester Art Museum and Open Door Arts, a division of Seven Hills Foundation. Admission to the Open Door Gallery is always free.
“For a decade, the Open Door Gallery has offered a unique platform for artists with disabilities across the region,” said Matthias Waschek, the Worcester Art Museum’s Jean and Myles McDonough Director. “We are proud to be working together with Open Door Arts to amplify the voices and talents of so many members of our community through this long-running partnership.”
The 10-year anniversary exhibition, titled Disabled Beauty, will be centered around a series of portraits created by artist Michaela Oteri of prominent figures in the disabled community. Past exhibiting artists, current program participants, artists who have applied to exhibit, and WAM and ODA staff will be invited to create their own disabled beauty portrait in response to Oteri’s work. A public reception will be held in April, and the exhibition will be on view March through May of 2027.
“This exhibition, and those planned for the coming year, are a testament to the creative force of the disability community that’s been fostered in the region over the past decade,” said Nicole Agois, Managing Director of Open Door Arts. “We look forward to marking this meaningful anniversary together with the Worcester Art Museum and continuing to build upon the impactful partnership between our organizations.”
Upcoming exhibitions in the Open Door Gallery
(Full details and dates to be announced at worcesterart.org/exhibitions/open-door-gallery)
Tim de Christopher, Paper and Stone: A Retrospective
September–November 2026
Artist Reception: Sunday October 25, 1–3 pm
With works spanning 1977 to today, Paper and Stone: A Retrospective will feature limestone sculptures, prints, and a collection of hundreds of napkin drawings by Tim de Christopher, in a visual diary of his creative life.
Steve Roth
December 2026–February 2027
Steve Roth draws upon his background in economics to create narrative art exploring game theory, how we make decisions, and his experiences navigating disability in the world.
Disabled Beauty, group exhibition
March–May 2027
Michaela Oteri’s Disabled Beauty Portraits series depicts prominent figures in the disabled community. For this anniversary exhibition, past exhibiting artists in the Open Door Gallery, current program participants, and artists who have applied to exhibit with the Gallery will be invited to contribute their own disabled beauty portraits in their particular style.
ASPiRE! group exhibition
June–August 2027
ASPiRE! is a day program developed by Seven Hills Foundation to better support individuals with disabilities and other significant life challenges. This group exhibition showcases art created by members of the program from throughout the past year.
The Open Door Gallery is a gallery space for artists with disabilities, created in partnership with Open Door Arts, a program of Seven Hills Foundation. The gallery is located in the Higgins Education Wing and admission is always free.
About the Worcester Art Museum
The Worcester Art Museum creates transformative programs and exhibitions, drawing on its exceptional collection of art. Dating from 3000 BCE to the present, these works provide the foundation for a focus on audience engagement, connecting visitors of all ages and abilities with inspiring art and demonstrating its enduring relevance to daily life. Creative initiatives—including pioneering collaborative programs with local schools, fresh approaches to exhibition design and in-gallery teaching, and a long history of studio class instruction—offer opportunities for diverse audiences to experience art and learn both from and with artists.
The Worcester Art Museum, located at 55 Salisbury Street in Worcester, MA, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. For information on admission and discounts, visit https://www.worcesterart.org/visit. Museum parking is free.
For more information, please contact:
Madeline Feller
Worcester Art Museum
MadelineFeller@worcesterart.org
508-793-4373
