Orange County Arts and Disability

05/11/2026

Join us for the next Orange County Arts and
Disability Collaborative on Friday, May 29th from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. at Chance Theater - Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center
to learn how arts partnerships with disability organizations can shape arts programming and broaden your reach.

Chance Theater will present on the collaborative effort of disability organizations in creating accessible and student-driven theater education programming as it relates to both the Chance Conservatory Spectrum classes and their award-winning Spectrum Speak Up program.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 27th:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTmuICXTMuBEe3jOXUj9Ggv9tbstcIxa6-lY-tDC6RhV21wQ/viewform

For accommodation requests, please contact Marleena Barber at [email protected]

Image description:
A flyer, with both the OC arts and disability logo and Segerstrom Center for the Arts logo, titled Allies in Access: Strengthening Arts Programs Through Disability Partnerships with a pale yellow background and purple section at the bottom, shares the above information for the next Orange County Arts and disability collaborative. At the bottom is the Chance theater logo and a QR code to register.

05/04/2026

Congratulations to Orange County Arts and Disability board member, Joey Hernandez on her solo art show, "Travelers," at the Fullerton Art Center opening May 8th, running through June 13th! The show will feature braille, large print, and audio image descriptions alongside tactile representations of each piece.

Visit https://www.fullertonmuseum.com/ for museum hours and more information.

Image Description:

The image displays a banner promoting an upcoming art exhibit at the Fullerton Museum Center's James F. Ranii Gallery. The exhibit, titled "Travelers" by Josephine Hernandez, is scheduled to open on Friday, May 8, 2026, and will run through June 13. The banner features images of artwork from the exhibit, paintings, set against a pastel background with a dreamlike quality. The overall design suggests a touch of whimsy and nostalgia, inviting viewers to explore the world of "Travelers."

04/22/2026

04/20/2026

✨New this year at the Festival!✨

In partnership with , join us for a  special workshop led blind ceramic artist, Jennifer Finlan at the Galeria of Imagination at MainPlace Mall on Saturday April 25th.

Create a beautiful ceramic rose from air-dry clay and learn about Jenniders story. Offering 2 sessions, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. for ages 8 and up.  $25 per person. Sign up in advance or the day of the festival. Space is limited. Link in bio to sign up. 

Image description:
A flyer for an interactive workshop titled "KNEAD MORE CERAMICS WORKSHOP," scheduled to take place on April 25, 2024. The event is organized by the Orange County Arts and Disability Festival at Galeria of Imagination. The flyer includes a photo of Jennifer Finlan, the workshop teaching artist, an example of the clay rose participants will create and a photo of two hands working with grat clay.

04/17/2026

✨ Join us for an unforgettable Opening Ceremony at the Orange County Arts and Disability Festival! ✨

The celebration kicks off at 11:00 a.m. at with a powerful and inclusive performance of “America the Beautiful,” presented in American Sign Language by fourth-grade students — including Deaf and hard of hearing students — from Fountain Valley School District’s James H. Cox and Robert Gisler Elementary Schools.

Enjoy incredible performances by Charlie Banister, the newest member of the Rollettes, and vocalist Sarah Lonsert. The celebration will culminate in a joyful finale featuring StraightUp Abilities students from Lord Baden Powell and Salk Elementary (Magnolia School District) dancing to “Golden,” which has become festival theme song. ✨

We’re also honored to have Dani Bowman, from the Netflix hit show Love on the Spectrum, as our MC for the ceremony.

🎉 ASL interpreters will be present for performances.
🏆 Special proclamation presentation!
🎨 Special award presentation to our themed art contest winner.

Come celebrate creativity, inclusion, and the power of the arts — and help us kick off a day where everyone can truly shine! 🌟

Image Descriptions:

Slide 1: A photo of Charlie Bannister posing in her wheelchair. The wheelchair is black with silver framing and spoked wheels. Their right hand is placed on the floor, and left hand is raised, with fingers splayed out. Their body is at an angle to where the feet are sitting in the wheelchair, creating contrast and drawing attention to the body. The background is a brownish-beige color with shadows on the floor below her.

Slide 2:
A headshot of Sarah Lonsert wearing a flowered crown. In the foreground, her face is partially visible, showcasing her fair skin and blonde hair styled in loose waves.

04/17/2026

We are just one week away!

The 50th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival will return April 25 at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, celebrating five decades of creativity, inclusion and artistic expression with perfor…

04/16/2026

Thank you to the Orange County Board of Education and for recognizingnthe 50th Anniversary of the Orange County Arts and Disability Festival with a proclamation. We were grateful for the opportunity to share about the history and impact of this countywide event at the April 8th meeting, and for the continued partnership with the Orange County Department Department of Education to provide opportunities for students with disabilities in the arts.

Image Description:
Member of the Orange County Board of Education stand with members of the Orange County Arts and Disability Board holding the framed Proclamation in the boardroom at the Orange County Department of Education.

04/11/2026

We are just two weeks away from the 50th Annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival! Don't miss this free family event showcasing the inxredible talents of visual and performing artists with disabilities at . Join us for the opening ceremony at 11:00 a.m. in Macy's Court. Additional performances, arts workshops and resource fair from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. We will be joined by Dani Bowman , from the Netflix hit show "Love on the Spectrum" who will guide us through the festivities as our MC. Come celebrate the arts, disability pride, and our GOLDEN anniversary! ✨🌟✨

Image Descriptions
1. Festival flyer in English.
2. Festival flyer in Spanish.
A more detailed description in the comments.

03/28/2026

Stopped into today to meet author . She is an award-winning independent children’s author, and disability advocate who creates, publishes, and promotes diverse, inclusive picture books focusing on kindness, empathy, and resilience. It was a pleasure to meet her and pick up a copy of her best-selling book "What If We Were All the Same?" Learn more about here work at https://www.cmharrisbooks.com ❤️📖

03/18/2026

Join us this Sunday, March 22nd at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana from 9:00-10:30 a.m. before the mall opens to the public for "Sensory-Friendly Bunny" - a special sensory friendly experience designed to provide a calm and comfortable environment for children and families to take photos with the Easter Bunny! OCA&D will be providing a free arts activity for all abilities.