“Good Mother Myths” Artist Talk

Saturday, February 15 - our series of events around the GOOD MOTHER MYTHS exhibition continues with a panel discussion featuring four artists with work in the show!Featuring:William David Harper IICecelia Johnson-ChavisOlivia NikolidakisAlexandra Wood
Moderated by poet Raina J. León, this hour-long discussion (with time for audience Q&A) brings the artists together in conversation about the themes of the show, their inspirations and process, and what mothering and motherhood can mean in the present moment. Join us for a powerful conversation and experience the work in person - and come early for a special writing workshop based on the show's themes led by Raina J. León (tickets available here).GOOD MOTHER MYTHS is on view at Small Works Gallery through Saturday, February 22nd.~February 15, 6-9 pm
~Free to all; donations keep the doors open!
~Free parking across the street or around the corner on Susquehanna
~Accessibility info: One half-step at entrance; bathroom is not wheelchair accessible
~Masks optional
~Beer, wine, and NA beer and seltzer available for $. No outside beverages.

About the Artists:

William D. Harper is a Philadelphia-based photographer, specializing in portrait and candid photography. With over a decade of experience, he has successfully captured timeless moments for his diverse clientele. William’s style blends classic elegance with modern flair. His work has been featured in the likes of Rolling-out, Buzzfeed, HuffPost, and a variety of newspaper publications. He is passionate about telling stories through his lens that elevate and explore the human experience.

Cecelia Johnson-Chavis is a collage artist who celebrates the beauty of found items and draws inspiration from her own journey of defining womanhood & motherhood for herself.

Olivia Nikolidakis is committed to showcasing the impacts that the external world and its expectations have on the internal worlds of women and how they perceive themselves and others. ARTIST WEBSITE: olivianik.com

Alexandra Wood is a multidisciplinary artist and writer originally from Kingston, NY. Her works centers on theme's of grief, healing and the mind/body/universal connection. Her most recent work was shown at Move With Love in Mt.Airy. She works out of her home studio in Philadelphia, PA.

About the moderator:

Raina J. León, PhD is Black, Afro-Boricua, and from Philadelphia (Lenni Lenape ancestral lands). She is a mother, daughter, sister, madrina, comadre, partner, poet, writer, and teacher educator. She is the author of black god mother this body, Canticle of Idols, Boogeyman Dawn, sombra : (dis)locate, and the chapbooks, profeta without refuge and Areyto to Atabey: Essays on the Mother(ing) Self. She is a founding editor of The Acentos Review, an online quarterly, international journal devoted to the promotion and publication of Latinx arts. She is a recipient of a National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures grant. She currently supports poets and writers at the Stonecoast MFA at the University of Southern Maine. She is additionally a digital archivist, podcaster (Generational Archives), emerging visual artist, writing coach, and curriculum developer.

About Philadelphia Small Works Gallery:

Open since December 2023, the Philadelphia Small Works Gallery organizes and hosts exhibitions, workshops, readings, and performances by Philly-based artists. We're a space for artists who build community through work that reveals our obsessions, resists oppression, and celebrates our complex connections. Folks who are weird and real and know great things are possible in/for our city. Visit our website for a full list of upcoming events and follow us on Instagram at @smallworksphilly.

Host or Publisher Philadelphia Small Works Gallery