Art Sanctuary and the Free Library of Philadelphia discuss the power of women artists to effect social change, March 6
In honor of Women's History Month, on Wednesday, March 6 at 6:00 PM, Art Sanctuary – Philadelphia's leading African-American arts and letters organization devoted to presenting outstanding regional and national talent in the literary, visual and performing arts – teams up with the Free Library of Philadelphia's One Book, One Philadelphia to host a discussion on how women of color use various forms of art to combat injustice and inequality.
This year, the One Book, One Philadelphia Selection Committee chose PEN/Faulkner Award Winner and National Book Award finalist, 'The Buddha in the Attic' by Julie Otsuka for its 2013 selection. This powerfully moving, poetic novel tells the tragic story of the Japanese "picture brides" who travelled from Japan to San Francisco in the early 1900s, tracing their collective and individual experiences as wives, mothers, breadwinners, and marginalized members of American society during both peacetime and the onset of World War II.
With this topic and theme as its centerpiece, Art Sanctuary and the Free Library will host a panel discussion that answers the questions: How do women "make freedom" using their art? How do women artists and writers make social justice an integral part of their work? and How do women of color use their art forms to advance the causes that affect women on a local and international level?
Moderated by filmmaker Aishah Shahidah Simmons, the panel includes visual artist Michelle Angela Ortiz, filmmaker tiona.m., poet Pat McLean, fiber mixed media artist Betty Leacraft, and writer/editor Debra Powell-Wright, plus performances by surprise guests.
This is a free event and will be held at Art Sanctuary, 628 S.16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146. To RSVP, visit http://womenmakefreedom.eventbrite.com.
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