The Norick Art Center has a new exhibit showcasing feminist art.
Jarica Walsh, an Oklahoma artist, and Trina Kopacka and Cayla Lewis, arts management professionals, curated the exhibit, Take a Seat.
Heather Lunsford, director of the school of visual arts, said feminist movements through the years inspired the exhibit.
“They were inspired by women running for office,” Lunsford said. “I think the #MeToo movement had something to do with that.”
Walsh said she found inspiration from women in her life.
“I was also inspired by women that I know who are running for Senate and representatives,” Walsh said.
The title of the exhibit is based on a quote from the late Frances Perkins, a former United States secretary of labor. The quote reads: “The door might not be opened to a woman again for a long, long time, and I had a kind of duty to other women to walk in and sit down on the chair that was offered, and so establish the right of others long hence and far distant in geography to sit in the high seats.”
Walsh also has a political piece in the exhibit inspired by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass).
“I have a collage of her,” Walsh said. “It is compiled of security envelopes I received in the mail, and it questions what makes us feel safe.”
Artists were either commissioned or asked for already existing pieces.
In addition to Walsh, other featured artists from across the country are Christine Aria, Marilyn Artus, Alexis Austin, Latasha Dunston, Nicole Emmons-Willis, Raven Halfmoon, Holy Mother Collective, Angie LaPaglia, Janice Mathews-Gordon, Katie Pendley, Marissa Raglin, Shelby Rowe, and Katy Seals.
Walsh said she hopes to inspire conversations about women in power and encourage women to get involved in politics.
“My hope is to draw attention for women in office and to open up the conversation of whether we’re being represented,” Walsh said. “Women should be a part of the political conversation, and this exhibit gives people things to think about.”
Students have expressed interest in and support for the exhibit. Mandy Sigale, theater performance/music junior, said she loves the idea.
“I love when women get together to talk about feminism and to bring an artistic eye into a debate about how society should be,” Sigale said.
The free exhibit is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 3 in Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery in Norick Art Center. An opening reception will be hosted at 6 p.m. Friday in the same location.
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