Woman: Lady. Girl. Female. Chick. Dame. Broad. Lassie. Wench. Maiden. An Artist's Interpretation.

Nicole Brauch, "One Foot In The Past"

This intriguing and provocative show opens at The Confluence Gallery in Twisp on International Woman's Day March 8th, 2014.

March 8th marks the annual International Women's Day Celebration. All around the globe the focus ranges from respect, appreciation and love towards women to celebrating women's economic, political, and social achievements. Starting as a Socialist political event, it blended the culture of many countries, primarily in Eastern Europe, Russia and former Soviet Bloc. In some regions the day lost its political flavor and has become more of an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a combination of Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Yet in other regions, the political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations runs strong and political-social awareness of women's struggles worldwide have been exposed.

The Confluence invites you to be inspired, stimulated, and yes, maybe even shocked. The show hopes to instigate dialogue and discussion about the many facets of being a woman in the world.

For this exhibit, co-curators Nicole Ringgold and Joanne Marracci asked artists to interpret their definition of “Woman” by creating up to 5 pieces using a variety of visual media. To accompany their work, artists were also asked to submit 2 sentences or less describing their understanding of what it is to be a woman. Not limited to female artists, male artists were also encouraged to participate and provide their perspectives.

As a component to the exhibit, the Confluence will hold a panel discussion on Saturday March 29th. The purpose of this panel is to introduce women who are involved in a diverse range of careers and offer an arena for the audience to engage in questions and open communication. At present, panel members include a scientist, politician, farmer, fire fighter, hospice nurse, professor, defense attorney, musician, and a stay-at-home mother. Doors will open at 5:30pm. The guided discussion will begin at 6pm. This is a free event.

During the span of the exhibit, the Merc Playhouse, just across the street, will partner with the Confluence with a reading of Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo. The reading, which will be directed by Ashley Lodato, considers the career vs. marriage debate from the perspectives of two women. Seen by many as a response to Wendy Wasserstein's late 80's “feminist” play The Heidi Chronicles, Rapture, Blister, Burn is a funny and scathing examination of the idea of “having it all.” A full-time mom and a feminist academic decide to switch lives – completely.

The Confluence Gallery will hold an art opening on March 8th, 4-8pm. The Women show runs through April 19th.