The Dixon Gallery and Gardens is hosting its first "Women in the Arts" this Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7. The event is free and open to the public.
Over two days, guests can expect performances, demonstrations, and conversations with local women from a wide range of creative fields.
Women in the Arts will be held at the Dixon, 4339 Park Avenue. Snacks will be provided Friday evening. Park + Cherry, the Dixon’s on-site cafe, will be open for lunch on Saturday.
“We will have a printmaking demonstration with Vanessa Gonzalez, floral design with Kim Jameson, painting with Lurlynn Franklin, printmaking with Martha Kelly, clay with Nikkila Carrol, and sewing with Paula Kovarik,” said Kirsten Rambo, digital communications associate for the Dixon.
The event will feature performances by Las Palomas, Woman’s Water by Homegrown LLC, and Hot Foot Honeys, as well as artist chats with Elizabeth Alley, Julia Hinson, and Grace Byeitima.
Visitors can connect with the many performers and panelists and explore the bright spots and challenges faced by creative, entrepreneurial women in the greater Memphis area.
“Women bring a unique voice to anything they do, especially in the arts, and we want to give a microphone to that. We are also looking forward to having artists and art advocates from all over the city coming together,” said Rambo.
A creatives’ panel discussion will include Kong Wee Pang, Cecilia Wingate, Julie Niekrasz, Lucero Soto, and Tamar Love.
Executive directors from local arts organizations will hold a separate panel discussion focused on leadership in the arts.
These panelists include: Debbie Litch with Theatre Memphis, Dorimar Ferrwe with Cazateatro, Whitney Hardy with 3rd Space, Katie Smythe with New Ballet Ensemble, Marcia Kaufmann with Iris Orchestra, and Karen Golightly with Paint Memphis.
Rambo said that while the event’s presenters are all creative women, the organizers want to make it clear that the audience’s only required commonality is a desire to “ ... celebrate women who work in and advocate for the arts.”
“No one should feel excluded. We want to celebrate women’s history month with an event that is open and honest,” she said.
Women in the Arts was organized by the Dixon in partnership with Theatre Memphis.
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“Obviously we are excited for all the programming that we have planned, but what is even more exciting are the moments that can’t be planned—conversations, ideas, and new friendships that will come out of this event,” said Rambo.
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