new linens and laces exhibit at Women Writing for (a) Change Jacksonville
Join us for the opening reception of LINENS and LACES, a new art exhibition featuring works by Noelle Barber and Deshonna Buchanan, our latest Zora Neale Hurston Fellows in Placemaking, Community-Building, and Literary Arts.
Deshonna and Noelle are exploring ideas of lineage and feminine creativity that have threaded through the ages in the form of fiber arts, including spinning, weaving, natural dyes, the color indigo, fabrics, and the role these traditions play in the rituals of women’s lives. Noelle’s work focuses on the culture surrounding indigo, her Gullah Geechee heritage here in Jacksonville—the southernmost reach of the culture and one of its most fragile links—and how we can draw upon the knowledge and wisdom of our past to reconnect with the soil, with plants, and with the deep ancestral knowledge that has been forgotten.
Deshonna is an artist whose primary medium is writing. She uses photography as both a creative tool and a weapon for good, transforming her words into visual narratives that invite reflection, dialogue, and healing. Her current work explores the stories of African American brides before, during, and after their weddings, examining the memories, traditions, and lived experiences they carry. Through storytelling, photography, and textiles associated with the institution of marriage, she investigates how these traditions have shaped and continue to shape the lives of Black women across generations.
Join us for an afternoon of conversation and exploration at the exhibition opening on October 17, from 2–4 p.m., at 1610 Osceola Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204—the campus of Women Writing for (a) Change Jacksonville and the historic home of Executive Director Jennifer Wolfe.
Join Us“See The Women” Program
We are Lifting the Expression of the Feminine in All Forms
At Women Writing for (a) Change Jacksonville, our vision is to lift the expression of women in all forms, starting with writing but extending to all forms of media and the expressive arts and sciences, including musical, performing, theater, film, journalism, and of course, the visual arts. We have a legion of reasons for this, but the fact that our national museums have traditionally focused almost exclusively on white men is a compelling reason enough.
Up until now, the data shows that less a ridiculously small percentage of art in our national and international museums and galleries is by women, much less women of color. We aim to change that, starting our own backyard. Each semester we hold an art exhibition featuring local women artists, some as featured artists but always with a radically inclusive community focus where any female-identifying artist can submit their work.
Artists: Benefits of Exhibiting
Your work will have multiple exposures to a variety of audiences, as we hold regular classes and a variety of events throughout the semester. Hundreds of people will view your work.
The artwork is hung in a home setting, creating an inviting environment so that potential patrons can see the way the art might look in their homes.
The artwork is tied to a positive experience for participants and is therefore imbued with more meaning to patrons.
Your work and your name will receive press coverage.
Your work will be captured in our Annual Anthology if you submit it.
We may ask to create a journal or a booklet with your artwork, providing another platform for your work. You will be reimbursed for this use.
Annual Anthology
The work from these artists, and the writing it inspires each semester, is collected into an annual anthology titled (a) river rising: Anthology of Women’s Voices. Our first volume was printed in November of 2019, with the theme of Rise and Shine, based on our 2018-2019 art shows, and including work from the past five years of writing in the Jacksonville community. Since then we have published a new anthology every year; check our Anthology page for details and to purchase our latest versions!