PROGRAM DETAILS:
Date Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time 12-4 PM
Location NUMU | 106 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA, 95030
Cost Free with registration
Join us at NUMU to celebrate the opening of Community Ignition, a group exhibition showcasing how art is created in the Disability Arts Community: in communities, through conversation and support, through interdependence, and within systems of care. The concept of interdependence, or mutual reliance, celebrates asking for assistance and honors the collaboration that is often present in artistic practice. NUMU provides a venue for conversation and learning to shift perspectives and develop awareness of disability culture and artists with disabilities.
The celebration will include live artwork demonstrations, drop-in activities, and more.
Schedule
12 PM: Doors open
12 PM-4 PM: Guide dog training with Guide Dogs for the Blind
12 PM-1:30, 2-4 PM: “You, &” labyrinth activation with Maia Scott
12:30-12:45 PM: Remarks with Executive Director Kimberly Snyder, Curator Allison Railo, and guest co-curators Katherine Sherwood & Maia Scott
12:45-1:30 PM: Artist Q&A
2-4 PM: Live weaving with Anne Meade Paden
3-4 PM: “Telephone” screening with co-creators Krishna Washburn and Heather Shaw
“You, &” labyrinth activation
Maia Scott's labyrinth installation, "You, &" invites visitors to add objects using provided hook-and-loop adhesive during the opening celebration and during the run of the exhibit. The work brings together little things that lost their way, including things found on a journey, broken, or left in the dark corners of drawers. If you plan on attending, consider bringing something bigger than a silver dollar and smaller than a smartphone.
Artist Q&A
Join us for a freeform period of time to browse the gallery and interact with exhibiting artists to ask about their pieces. Please check name tags or ask a staff member to learn which artists are open to questions.
Live Weaving
Inspired by the varied weaving practices at Creative Growth, from the painted and woven textiles created in the studio to the intricate construction of fashion garments, we invite you to participate in the construction of our Memory Tapestry, led by Anne Meade Paden.
This project seeks to create a communal, enduring document of our shared and personal histories, establishing a woven legacy of memory and connection, mirroring the vital role weaving plays across many artistic disciplines.
Think of a Memory of loved ones you wish to remember, a special moment, or your favorite memories or thoughts. As you reflect on your memories, feel free to weave any textile of your selection into the tapestry. Your choice of color, texture, or pattern will enrich the whole piece.
Telephone Film
Join us downstairs in the Collections Lab for a screening of “Telephone” with an introduction by co-creators Heather Shaw and Krishna Washburn (Krishna will be joining the event virtually).
Telephone is an activist screendance documentary celebrating emotionally rich, poetic audio description for dance, which allows blind and visually impaired people to be included fully in the joy of artistic expression.
The first of its kind, Telephone was created specifically with a visually impaired audience in mind, while facilitating an immersive sensory experience for audience members of all sight levels. Featuring diverse disabled and non-disabled artists from across the globe, the film demystifies and legitimizes audio description, not just as an access tool, but as a beautiful, rich art form in its own right.
NUMU strives to be an accessible organization by accommodating the needs of all our constituents. The museum's building is ADA-compliant. There is a ramp to enter the Civic Center Plaza starting at the Los Gatos Library’s parking lot. There are no inclines between the lot behind the museum and the museum’s side entrance. The museum has a publicly accessible elevator, ADA-compliant restrooms on both floors, and a wheelchair and fidget toys are available to borrow when visiting. Should you have any accessibility concerns, please email us at visit@numulosgatos.org.
Exhibitions, programs, and operations are made possible by NUMU’s Board of Directors & Circle Members, the Michael & Alyce Parsons Art Endowment, Bequest of Beverly Ann Curtis, the Borgenicht Foundation, Ranae DeSantis, Christie's International Real Estate, The Flick Family, Jan Schwartz & Bob Baden, Lynx Properties, LLC, Carol & Rick Tinsley, The Town of Los Gatos, California Arts Council, and SVCreates, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara.
