I was pleasantly surprised when Michelle Macullo of the Rocky Mountain Outlook called to interview me for the upcoming Banff Public Library Art Show. The exhibit will feature the art of local women during the month of March. It is the third year of this exhibit, which is inspired by International Women's Day on March 8th. It is the second year I have participated in the show.
I had a nice time chatting with Michelle about my work and how I am excited to be in this show with so many other talented artists. Then, I forgot about it, and was told by two people on the same day that my work was in the Rocky Mountain Outlook. I have not gotten my hand on a copy but I did find it online
here. I will also post the article here below along with the image they printed in both the paper and have posted online. Thank you!
Global Women—March 2009 BPL show
Published: February 26, 2009 11:00 AM
Updated: February 26, 2009 11:40 AM
MICHELLE MACULLO BANFF
March 8 marks International Women’s Day – a commemoration of female spirit and achievement.
The day, first celebrated in 1911, also serves as a reminder that the days of female inequality are not entirely behind us.
In some instances, social, economic and political equality, both in the developed and developing world, are hard to come by. Gender equality, as outlined in the United Nations’ Charter, is a fundamental human right.
So it is with this in mind that the day serves as a reminder that all should be treated equal.
During the month of March, a colourful tapestry of local female artists, along with the Banff Public Library and the YWCA, are gathering to embrace female power, promise, contribution and worth through art.
Global Women: Bridging the Gap, an exhibition of original artwork, will be featured at the Banff Public Library Art Gallery. An opening reception with a number of the artists in attendance takes place on Saturday, March 7 from 7-9 p.m.
The mixed medium show features a potpourri of creations ranging from mosaic to photography to painting. Many of this year’s participants are easily recognizable women known throughout the Valley for their generosity, kindness and creativity – Jane Newman, Max Elliott and Tiffany Teske, to name a few.
Photographer Teske’s contribution to the exhibit are black and white images of women taken in Haiti.
“All of the women have a beautiful smile,” she shares. “Photography is powerful. Mother and National Geographic photographer Annie Griffins Belt captured it best when she said, ‘And I have learned that even without a shared language, it’s easy to let people know that their children are beautiful, their homes are lovely, their tea is delicious, and their stories are worth sharing with the world.’ She was right. I like to show humanity – the similarities and connections.”
As a mother and a wife, Teske says she’s spent a lot of time mulling over what it means to be female.
“I’m especially interested in how we got here,” she says. “It’s something I think about all of the time. When I think about all of the women that came before me, I’m thinking about my daughter. I’m going to encourage her to do whatever she wants to.”
Teske says her family played a vital role in giving her the confidence and poise to follow her dreams.
“My dad said I could be anything I wanted to be,” Teske said. ”And my grandma was one of the early Betty Crockers. She was working as an executive for the company before women really started working in those roles.”
A number of pieces in the show are available for sale. Additional information about the artists and their works is available at the library.
Global Women: Bridging the Gap runs until the end of the month at the Banff Public Library Art Gallery
