The Arcade Gallery on the second floor of 618 S. Michigan Ave. transformed into a striking and powerful display of over 300 artistic pieces made from various mediums created by women and non-binary students as part of the college’s annual For Women, By Women gallery.
At the opening reception held on Friday, April 24, the exhibit celebrated five years of highlighting student’s creativity and resilience.
Co-founder Diana Vallera, who teaches in the photography program, expressed the necessity of holding an exhibit like this in the current day.
“Now more than ever with what’s happening in this country, we always knew it was needed, but now we’re so proud to have this be an important part of the campus community,” Vallera said.
The For Women, By Women exhibit was founded by Vallera and Columbia alum Corinne Pompéy in April 2022 as a way for students to showcase their work when they otherwise would not be able to. Vallera said that the creation of this exhibit has made her reflect on her journey in the art world.
“I’ve had some important mentors in my life that were there for me, that made such a difference,” she said. “So to me, it allows me to be able to do some of the things that they were able to do for me, to empower and believe that you can create change, and there’s no better way to create change than through the arts.”
Senior photography majors Katia Jackson and Kennedy Hardy were both in charge of social media communications and outreach. Jackson expressed the importance of coming together, even in the face of hardship.
“Despite challenges that we face as women, as non-binary folks, as people of color and women of color, we are all coming together to really celebrate ourselves and the work that we do,” Jackson said.
Some of the event’s organizers told the Chronicle they were worried about attendance after the Conversation with Mayor Brandon Johnson was rescheduled to take place on the day of the For Women, By Women reception and just one floor above the gallery in The Hive.
However, soon after the exhibit opened at 5 p.m., guests began to pile in, roaming through the halls that were decorated salon style with paintings, poetry, photographs and videos, including its first ever immersive artistic experience.
There was also a photo booth, raffle for prizes, catered food and speeches presented by President and CEO Shantay Bolton, Interim Senior Vice President and Provost Suzanne McBride, Director of the School of Fashion Colbey Reid, Vallera, and guest speaker Xiomara.
Xiomara went over her journey fighting against adversity throughout her life and emphasizing the importance of building your own space as Black, Indigenous and other women of color.
“This beautiful gallery is a testament to the brilliance that’s possible in spaces where we challenge misogynists, gender binary, heteronormative, white supremacy and cultural norms,” she said, “and instead, create in those spaces the conditions for us to safely show up as our complex, intersectional, fierce, vulnerable, bold selves.”
Throughout the exhibit, that resilience was reflected in the work displayed.
One piece that was featured in the exhibit, created by sophomore illustration major Lily Henry, depicts a woman with her hair covering her face and bleeding from her underwear. The piece entitled “No Words” represents the violence women face just for being women.
“To be in an exhibit with specifically women, especially when many of my pieces are based in politics or activism, it’s a really amazing feeling to be surrounded by all these incredible artists,” Henry said.
Another piece, entitled “Knowing,” depicts two nude figures on a beach looking at each other as the border surrounding them shows green vine-like designs on the bottom with the sun and moon at the top. The artist, senior illustration major Eleanor Vega, said it reflects her feelings as the seasons change.
“This is the first time I’ve gotten to be a part of the show, unfortunately, because I’m a senior,” Vega said. “I should have done it a little bit sooner.”
Two pieces featured were created by senior film and television major Adeline Dorsey. One depicts a portrait of a woman bruised and bloodied with bandages on. The other depicts a woman on the floor getting ready while watching something on her phone, which is propped up by a pair of headphones.
“One of them is about my mental health and just trying to visually show it. The other one I took inspiration from the ‘Fancy Nancy’ books,” Dorsey said. “I wanted to try to emulate that.”
One of the pieces included in the exhibit was an interactive piece titled “Mirror of Fragmented Femininity” where a mirror was propped up with a pink mosaic border where guests were encouraged to write self-affirmations. The piece was created by first-year film and television major Annaleise Bergene.
Bergene, who described herself as a “raging feminist,” said that she was “almost in tears” due to being surrounded by other like-minded artists, who were all supporting each other through her art.
“It’s such a wonderful thing to see,” Bergene said.
Some of the student work from the exhibit will also be available for purchase through ShopColumbia.
This story was updated to remove the title of “part-time instructor” at the request of a faculty member.
Copy edited by Katie Peters
