More than 100 people filled the art gallery at ArtsWestchester in White Plains on March 13th to get up close and personal with a new spring exhibition, SHE: Deconstructing Female Identity, which provides a series of works that speak volumes on two hot topics today – female identity and feminism. In addition to the visual exhibition, ArtsWestchester is presenting a calendar of community programs in partnership with local organizations.
It is no coincidence that the opening occurred during Women’s History Month. Some of the works highlight strong female figures in history, but others also blend in contemporary views on the image of women and the role they play in society today. As Mattel reimagines the look of Barbie with the release of new dolls that have diverse physical appearances, and the current political campaign presents the possibility of the first female president, the exhibit – which features the work of 11 female artists from New York – is a topical attraction in Westchester County.
“Modern American women are struggling to redefine themselves in the face of shifting societal values and changing perceptions of femininity. These issues are explored in SHE,” said ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam, adding that “with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the exhibition explores issues of gender and identity by a selection of well-known and emerging New York artists.”
The following artists are featured in SHE: Nicole Awai of Brooklyn, Laurel Garcia Colvin of Chappaqua, Nancy Davidson of New York City, Marcy B. Freedman of Croton-on-Hudson, Debbie Han of New York City, Rebecca Mushtare of Oswego, Valerie Piriano of Brooklyn, Mari Ogihara of White Plains, Kathy Ruttenberg of New York, Barbara Segal of Yonkers and Tricia Wright of Kingston.
“Themes explored include the body, self-adornment and self-presentation, the domestic sphere and icons of the feminine,” added ArtsWestchester Gallery Director Kathleen Reckling. “The exhibition is designed to give women a space where their voices can be heard above the cacophony of social media, digital media, print media, marketers, politicians, pundits, and journalists. SHE explores the concept that femininity, and gender generally, is a grand performance piece, a play within and against socially constructed themes and voices.”
Community programs will address women’s rights, relationship abuse, self-image and women’s career development. Some of these programs include:
Monday, March 21, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
An Evening with the Guerilla Girls: Breaking the Glass Ceiling. Join ArtsWestchester for a performance and Q&A with an art world icon and iconoclast. The Guerrilla Girls have appeared in almost every U.S. state and on almost every continent, using facts and humor to expose and protest discrimination. Online registration required. Tickets: $25
Friday, April 15, 7:00 p.m.
Fashion SHEek: Teens Take the Runway. ArtsWestchester, in partnership with Her Honor Mentoring, Operation PROM, and Westchester Community College will host “Fashion SHEek”, a fashion show featuring a collection of dresses designed by the fashion students at WCC and modeled by the mentee’s of Her Honor.
Thursday, April 21, Time: TBD
Teens Taking the Lead: Girls Learning Leadership. The creative team at the Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute will lead empowering workshops that spark creativity and develop leadership skills for teenagers. Engaging activities will build confidence through addressing self-presentation and perception.
Date: TBD
Men Talking to Boys about Domestic Violence. Presented by the African American Men of Westchester, this day-long program includes workshops, discussions, and panels designed for young men aged 13-21, but open to all. It will focus on recognizing and preventing domestic violence.
Thursday, April 28, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
When I Grow Up I want to be… A girl can grow-up to be anything she wants. As part of Take Your Child to Work Day, female leaders from a cross-section of area businesses will talk about their career paths and answer questions about how to succeed in the career of your choosing.
(A full listing of these special events will occur through June and can be found by visiting artswestchester.org)
ArtsWestchester is located at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains, N.Y. The exhibition will be on view through Saturday, June 25. Admission is free to the public. Docent tours of the exhibit are available to the public and for private groups with a suggested per person donation. ArtsWestchester gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://artswestchester.org/she-deconstructing-female-identity.