Seattle Disability Arts Festival: A Platform for Belonging and Expression
The inaugural Seattle Disability Arts Festival at Pier 62 on the Waterfront created an energetic and inclusive space during Disability Pride Month in July. This event, co-created with and for the disabled and artist communities, reflected a powerful vision of belonging and challenged existing norms and inequalities in Seattle's art scene and beyond.
Teresa Thuman, the festival curator, emphasized the event’s representation of the values set in place by the Waterfront Park. She explained that the festival embodies the principles of disability justice, intersectionality, and the idea that "power goes to those most impacted." She expressed excitement about the opportunity for people to “discover the excellence in the artists that identify as disabled,” and all the intersections and identities that made each performer unique.
Brianna Browne, a programs manager at Friends of Waterfront Park and one of the event organizers, reiterated the festival's focus on the disabled community and the Waterfront Park’s commitment to "creating space for people to belong." She explained that the festival was born from a partnership with Thuman, aiming to make the new park a welcoming space for everyone.
Browne stressed the importance of centering disabled artists, especially racial minorities. "They are historically marginalized,” she said. “We want to amplify the voices and really have the community understand that we can all gather together."
Mickey Rowe, an author and actor performing as a stilt walker, shared his personal experience at the festival, noting that creating events accessible for people with disabilities also makes events more accessible for everyone. He also spoke about how his art and identity connect to belonging as an autistic person. “Everyone who sees me smiles,” Rowe said about when he is on stilts, a trend that connects him to performance and entertainment.
Rhonda Cochran, a performance artist using American Sign Language, described the festival as an amazing opportunity and the first of its kind. Cochran, who is deaf and uses a wheelchair, highlighted how her art and identity connect to belonging by having the ability to access theater space in this city" and being given more opportunities to perform. For Cochran, a future where access is a "baseline in every public art space, not a bonus" is the end goal.
The Seattle Disability Arts Festival stands as a testament to the power of intentional co-creation, fostering a sense of belonging, and showcasing the immense talent and excellence within the disabled community. It's a powerful statement that aims to disrupt norms and create a more radically accessible and inclusive art scene for everyone.
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