With allegations of sexual harassment dominating headlines, young female artists, and their professional adult counterparts, are exhibiting works in Providence that trumpet the strength and creativity of women.

Opening: Thursday, December 14 at 5:30pm at Providence CityArts, 891 Broad Street, Providence. An opening night reception is this Thursday, December 14 from 5:30-7:30pm. This event is free and open to the public.

Feeding Her Fire: A Mixed Media/Mixed Generational Exploration of Female Identity is the culmination of a year of artistic discovery with a group of teen and pre-teen youth around “what it means to be female in today’s world.” Artists include the teens and tweens, as well as local artists: Shey Rivera, Executive Director of AS220, Xander Marro, a member of the feminist art collective, Dirt Palace, Tamara Diaz, a painter and child/family therapist, and others.

About the Workshop and Exhibition:

Beginning in January 2017, CityArts Teaching Artist, Michelle Nugent (also exhibiting in the show) began leading a class in CityArts’ free after school program called “Girl Up.” The class introduced young artists to transnational feminist art, artists and art movements. In fall 2017, Michelle and CityArts Program Director, Nika Gorini, decided to expand the class to culminate in an exhibition. Gorini and Nugent curated the show.

Nugent says, “as part of the learning process with the teens, I felt it was important that they directly engage with the work of the many wonderful local artists who have been exploring similar issues of feminism, equity, and gender in Providence. Especially in light of the harassment allegations dominating this news cycle, it is important that these young women know their voices matter, and that communication through the arts are part of the conversation.”