Racism exhibit at Williams College - Accomplished!

The "Unspoken Truth About Color: A Dialogue in Art Quilts" was a successful exhibit at Williams College. What made it successful? It was displayed in a cohesive and attractive way (pat myself on the back there) and there were many comments from viewers. Betty Warner, another Fiber Artists for Hope artist came to help hang the exhibit with me, and meet and greet the attendees.

The viewers noted how different each of the art quilts were, the many techniques implemented, and that the subject matter was treated in thought provoking ways. Planning and hanging the exhibit for 2 hours seemed a little crazy at times, but my goal was that someone's mind would be awakened to new thoughts about race. That goal was definitely reached!

My piece about White Privilege evoked a conversation from a White woman who said she had never thought about her race, and recognized that privilege as something taken for granted. Never having to think about your race would not be possible for a person of any heritage other than White. The privilege is akin to the privileges gained just by being male, which all women are aware is a privilege, but men rarely recognize.

Here's a few photo's from the exhibit in the lovely lobby of the '62 Center for Performing Arts at Williams College. It was the first time the lobby had been used for an art exhibit, but I hope it won't be the last.

L-R: Work by artists Michele Flamer, Diane Bracy, Nancy Cash

L-R: Jancy McClellan-Ryan,  Connie Heller

L-R: Sabrina Zarco, Carol Krueger, Betty Warner

L-R: Sue Walen, Jeanne Marklin

Betty Warner from Connecticut with her work. Betty came for the exhibit - thanks again Betty!

Diane Bracy on left, Nancy Cash on right

L-R: Work by Laura Gadson, Mary Scales, Sherry Boram 

Taj Smith the MLK coordinator for the Williams College Multicultural Center and me.

 Thanks Taj!

Pininterest

About 12 SAQA members signed up as a group on Pininterest, a new (at least to me) website for posting images of design examples. It's also a place to post photo's of travel photo's, which I can never get enough of! Images from websites can be "pinned" to your Pininterest board, and then others pin things they like to their boards.

It's eye candy that is a quick way to get a bit of inspiration! Here are a couple of images I'm going to post to my board - sharing images you love is easy, and just might inspire someone else.

Light and shadows in NYC. Jeanne Marklin c.2012

Gray and Blue by Jeanne Marklin c. 2012

Light and shadow Jeanne Marklin c. 2012

Racism exhibit at Williams College

The Fiber Artists for Hope will exhibit their art quilts at Williams College on Sunday, January 15th.

"The Unspoken Truth About Color: A Dialogue in Art Quilts About Racism" will be the opening event for the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at the college. The beautiful, light filled lobby of the '62 Center will have 24 art quilts that address racism. The '62 Center is the theater building for the college and the Williamstown Theater Festival, and is on Main Street in Williamstown.

This exhibit came about after the election of President Obama. The online group felt that there were many instances of racism raising it's hateful head, and the artists wanted to respond with a thought provoking, and inspiring exhibit. The works have been seen around the country, and for a short time, will be at Williams College.

The reception for the opening event will be from 4-6 pm on January 15, 2012. Another FAFH, Betty Warner will join me for the event, and we'd love to have you there too!

If you can't make it, take a look at the photo's on the FAFH blog, and watch for it to come to your area.