Proud 2 Be: Rights Are 4 Everyone

This artist-led installation highlights NIAD artists who advocate for disability rights, disability justice, and intertwined social justice issues in their artistic practices. Each artist’s commitment to advocacy has emerged from their own lived experiences. Artists celebrate love, beauty, interdependency, while also mourning the passing of community members. They insist on access, visibility, and power.

“I’d like to explain what advocacy means. Advocacy is standing up for what you believe and for what you want to see changed in the community and for yourself.

Growing up, the symbols I saw for disabilities were about the ones you can see on the outside, like the symbol of a person using a wheelchair or a cane. But I learned that disabilities can be upfront or they can be hidden. 

With that in mind, I created a Disability Pride Flag to say that all of the disabilities are important. I put a lightbulb symbol and the phrase 'Let Your Light Shine' on the flag. For me, it’s about how we all have a light and a power inside. All of us are advocates in some way. We can speak up and say what we want to say to get things changed. We don’t have to hide in fear thinking we don’t count. We do count. That’s what I want to get across to people: we matter and our voices matter.” 

-Proud 2 Be Artist Rebecca Jantzen

As a community our experiences are interconnected, and particularly in this moment of precarity for disabled folks where health and human services are being threatened, we need to practice collective care and show up for each other.  

Proud 2 Be features artwork celebrating disability justice, human rights advocacy, colorful expression, and uplifting community.

Deatra Colbert

Raven Harper

Shana Harper

Rachel Huber

Rebecca Jantzen

Samantha Kershnar

Ann Meade

Halisi Noel-Johnson

Robin Rakoczy

Dorian Reid

NIAD Annex Opening Reception // Saturday, July 12, 2025