Art Without Limits Lori Schoen on Creativity and Inclusion at Unruly Arts

Creativity flourishes when everyone has the freedom to express themselves. This week on Women in the Driver Seat we sit down with Lori Schoen, Art Director of Unruly Arts, a nonprofit studio nestled in the Artists’ Village at the Toledo Botanical Garden that empowers individuals with disabilities to create without limits.

In our conversation, Lori shares how Unruly Arts began with a simple belief that everyone deserves a space to explore their artistic voice. The studio was founded to move beyond traditional labels, focusing instead on the abilities, imagination, and individuality of each artist. Through paint, sculpture, digital design, and mixed media, artists at Unruly Arts are encouraged to take creative risks and express who they are without boundaries.

Lori also discusses the studio’s expansion into digital art programming using iPad Pros and other adaptive tools. These innovations help remove barriers for artists with physical or chemical limitations, opening new pathways for accessibility and inclusion.

She highlights a particularly meaningful collaboration that reminded her why art is such a powerful connector and shares how she balances providing technical guidance while allowing artists to lead with their own creative instincts. Looking ahead, Lori envisions continued growth for the studio, from expanding partnerships to amplifying community engagement and public exhibits.

Whether you are an artist, educator, or someone who values inclusion and creativity, this episode offers an inspiring look at how Unruly Arts and Lori Schoen are redefining what it means to create freely.

Watch the Lori Schoen interview now!