The Blue House Gallery in Dayton, Ohio, will host "Imagining Abolition: State Blues," a group exhibition presented by The Returning Artists Guild (RAG), an abolitionist collective of directly-impacted practicing artists from Ohio and beyond. The exhibition opens on June 13, 2026, with a reception from 6-9pm, and runs through July 13, 2026, with open hours on Fridays from 4-6pm or by appointment.
This exhibition matters because it centers the voices and creative work of artists who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system, using art as a platform for abolitionist dialogue and community engagement. By showcasing work from a guild that explicitly names itself as abolitionist, the show contributes to broader conversations about art, activism, and systemic change, while also highlighting the role of local galleries in fostering socially engaged art.