Welcome back! I’m still here, a phrase which makes me think of dance icon Bill T. Jones, his work with people with disabilities, and the fact that as a dancer (I’m sure some are like, Alison, you dance too, and yes, I do, but sometimes quietly) I’m in his lineage, as I studied Modern with Mary Harding at Arts High at Perpich Center for Arts Education even though I was in the lit department with John Colburn.

This email:

• announces my updated website
• Remember & Reimagine: Rollerskating, Artmaking, Community Building
• Loft Classes coming this summer!
• recommends a podcast episode that includes info on disabled people’s history, as well as on the history of prisons.
• local publication profiled the editor of MNopedia where some of my writing on 1890s patient experience appears
• ways to connect and to support

Updated Website

Hello! Glad you're here! This is Monday, January 20, 2025. It is MLK Jr. Day in the US. This issue is the one I meant to have out January 16th, and I plan to have another newsletter out this week on the 23rd. If you're feeling like you'd rather hear from me in this form at some other frequency, say monthly, please feel free to hit reply and let me know. In the long term I'm sure I'll have some sort of system where you click a link for that, for now it's a manual process.

If someone forwarded this message, or I sent you a link on the web, please subscribe.

New Writing: The Death of Anna Salzer in Rochester State Hospital, 1897, MNopedia.com

I have a new article out on another 1890s patient. Anna Salzer was admitted to and died in Rochester State Hospital in 1897. Her death was documented in detail by Lydia B. Angier, another patient, who I've written about earlier. This work, which is archival, broad, and feels almost collaborative with people whom I almost could have been. Please check it out, and please know that the article discusses physical abuse, institutions, and psychiatric care if any of those topics are ones you might want to take care of yourself around. I'm extremely grateful to MNopedia editor Lizzie Ehrenhalt, and centered some of our process together in a LinkedIn post about the article

Hello!

This newsletter highlights tomorrow's reading, shares a bit on multidisciplinarity, shares new writing, a bit about a project that is aching to emerge, highlights what I'm teaching for The Loft this Spring, recommends an exhibition, shares some thoughts when I say yes to artistic collaborations, mentions that this could be the topic of an artist career consultation with me, or with others.

My hope is that this newsletter integrates my practice as a whole a bit; connects you to lots of things I'm working on, noticing or thinking about; and provides some content that isn't elsewhere (yet). You may know me mostly as a disabled visual artist, as an essayist or storyteller or solo performer, or Work of Art business skills for artists facilitator, my practice is really varied, and I know I typically have just let that exist versus explaining or justifying it.

Reading Tomorrow (!) Friday January 10th in person in Minneapolis

2024 is over and gone

I recapped the year now gone on socials, including on Instagram, on Tuesday. I'm sort of astonished I was able to do this much art, speaking, facilitating, writing and teaching in a year that had some of the worst migraines of several years of awful migraines.

Reading January 10th, 2025 7:30pm in Minneapolis

I'll be reading in Minneapolis on Friday January 10th at 7:30pm from an article I wrote last Spring for MNopedia on Lydia B. Angier, who was a patient at Rochester State Hospital from 1896 to 1899, as well as other works. Tickets are $20, and I expect to have several announcements of special guests. I'll also have art, prints, zines and other ephemera available for sale. If you're able to sponsor tickets (available free, or an access rate) for those who can't otherwise attend please reach out by replying to this email. I can offer mention at the event and in marketing.

Reading January 10th, 2025 7:30pm in Minneapolis

Y'all are hearing it here first, I'll be reading in Minneapolis on Friday January 10th at 7:30pm from an article I wrote last Spring for MNopedia on Lydia B. Angier, who was a patient at Rochester State Hospital from 1896 to 1899, as well as other works. Tickets are $20, and I expect to have several announcements of special guests. I'll also have art, prints, zines and other ephemera available for sale. If you're able to sponsor tickets (available free, or an access rate) for those who can't otherwise attend please reach out by replying to this email. I can offer mention at the event and in marketing.

Details in one spot:
Lit Reading on Care Systems by Alison Bergblom Johnson
In-Person in Minneapolis
Friday 1/10/2025, 7:30pm
A-Mill Artist Lofts, Performance Hall
315 SE Main St.
Minneapolis MN 55414
Tickets

Still time to see Work at Mill City Museum and Boiler Room Coffee

Hello! So much appreciation to all interested in my work! I’m facilitating a panel tonight via Springboard for the Arts. This email also highlights an equity focused leadership panel I’ll be on, an exhibition currently highlighting my work in Minneapolis (and that of other disabled artists), an opportunity to buy prints and artistically modified prints, and a few more online readings. I also have a few notes on future directions, with a few thoughts and asks on ways to support this work.

Tech Snafu

But first, I had a recent technology snafu with the platform settings for a recent Zoom reading. It took me a minute to figure out what I did wrong in the settings, but I now am aware, and all affected will get free admission to either the 5/22 or 6/11 self-hosted readings. I’m also mailing those signed up something small too. I so appreciate that folks are supportive of my work, and want to engage. I was definitely bummed to miss you too, and I’m hopeful that whatever tech problems any of us have in the future it won’t be this one.

Upcoming Public Events

Hello!!!

So glad you're here with me in these endeavors making art, building community, and centering conversations about disability..

If you aren't subscribed, perhaps you followed this link via the web or social media, or I forwarded it to you, and you want to get your own copy in your email each week, please opt-in here. If this email came to your inbox, then you're already subscribed!

Upcoming Events

Hiya, I've got a few updates and upcoming events!

If you're getting this directly to your email you're signed up and you'll keep getting this newsletter about every week or so. If a friend (or your favorite artist) forwarded this to you sign up for your very own copy here.

This email highlights upcoming events (Cinecriture, April 10th; Online Reading, April 30th; remembers a past performance (Disability Communities x Alison Bergblom Johnson with Mixed Blood Theatre) and updates on my capacity.

Walter, my emotional support balloon, to be part of Candid Film Festival

Hi folks!

Thanks for being interested in my practice. I have a lot of disability-centric art events and a few really cool super secret projects coming up soon. This is where you'll hear about things first. Going forward I expect to be sending out a note weekly (and sometimes twice, when there's exciting news), please let me know if you'd prefer less frequent updates, just reply back with your preferences.

If you're getting this directly to your email you're signed up and you'll keep getting this newsletter. If a friend (or your favorite artist) forwarded this to you sign up for your very own copy here.

Warmly,

Zoom Reading of Long Live...

I'm hosting an online reading of a new essay, Long Live the Disabled Artist, Long Live the Disabled Artist(s) today at 7pm central time. Tickets (including some very near free access-based priced options) are on sale now.

If you (or someone you know) finds the ticket price a barrier please email me (alison@alisonbergblomjohnson.com) and I'll add them to the list.

You can read Long Live the Disabled Artist... at Mn Artists. It touches on friendship, grief, tokenism, and how we will do what we can for as long as we can. I'm extremely proud of some of the attention it's gotten on social media, particularly mention from the the access office at The Kennedy Center, VSA.

New Essay!

My new essay at Mn Artists, Long Live the Disabled Artist, Long Live the Disabled Artist(s), touches on friendship, grief, tokenism, and how we will do what we can for as long as we can. I'm extremely proud of some of the attention it's gotten on social media, particularly mention from the the access office at The Kennedy Center, VSA.

Zoom Reading of Long Live...

I'm hosting an online reading of that that essay, Long Live the Disabled Artist... on February 6th at 7pm central time. Tickets (including some very near free access-based priced options) are on sale now.

Welcome!

This email has

• pop up event this Sunday, Sep. 3, 2pm - 5pm
• New project with Annette, Let's Talk
• New project - Selfitudes
• Updates in my long-running Open Letters to the Men of Craigslist Project
• Mixed Blood 12x12 Project Video of the disabilities set
• Chronicles of the Chronic, curated by Zoe Cinel, Jury: me, Keisha Williams, Victor Montori, M.D. opens at Rochester Art Center
• Teaching several Work of Art classes this fall, including one on the road in greater Minnesota.
• Consults, Consults, Consults!

Pop Up Collage and Zine Event Sunday in Minneapolis tomorrow!

Stand Up Tonight! (Wednesday October 26th, 2022)

I'll be doing a stand up tonight (7pm) at the Wensgays Comedy Night at Sisyphus Brewing in Minneapolis.

With Us: Artists with Disabilities on Empowerment

Springboard for the Arts is holding panels featuring artists with disabilities again this year. The first on focuses on empowerment. I'll be facilitating, Minda Mae and David Fallon will join in.

A couple wonderful things coming up in the near future:

1. With Rubin Hardin I'll be doing an Ask Me Anything: Accessibility and Artists with Disabilities with Springboard for the Arts on Monday October 17th.
2. A new zine is available for pre-order shipping by Tuesday October 18th.
3. I'll be doing comedy things on October 26 at the Wensgay Comedy Show in Minneapolis! Likely will be leaning into bi fashion and maybe even wearing a costume.

I really enjoyed Kara Swisher interviewing John Fetterman, especially because they are both stroke survivors and talked about that experience in the interview. While they did not use the word ableism they do address the concept. Both seemed to be coming from a place of empowerment; I was grateful to get to listen in.

There'll be more to announce soon, however I'm planning to keep these to once every couple weeks though, so feel free to check in on socials (Facebook or Twitter or Insta or shoot me an email (alison@alisonbergblomjohnson.com).