Women Creating Public Art and Community, 2000–2014. Issue 1 (4th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mulvey, Anne; Egan, Irene M.
• Is Part Of: American journal of community psychology. Volume 55:Issue 1/2(2015)
• Page Start: 102
• Page End: 114
• Publication Date: 2014-11-04
• Subjects: Public art -- Community psychology -- Feminism -- Women; Community psychology -- Periodicals; Community mental health services -- Periodicals; Community psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Mental Health Services -- Periodicals; Community Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1007/s10464-014-9689-4
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-0562

Abstract

Abstract: This narrative describes a series of 15 short‐term public art projects that were part of a program for women and girls in Lowell, Massachusetts, a mid‐size city in the United States. The projects were designed to give public space to women's stories and perspectives by exhibiting their creative art in response to suggested themes. A few thousand women and girls representing diverse age and cultural groups created art based on their lived experiences. The organizers of the program met people in comfortable settings, tailored their art‐making approaches to particular groups, and used inclusive processes in developing and executing the program. Program successes and challenges were related to the organizational structure of the art projects, the annual themes and art media, the extent of outreach and support, the process of creation, and the impact of art exhibits. Using community psychology and feminist frameworks, authors reflect on the projects and their relevance across contexts, highlight key organizing strategies, and identify ways the project represents community psychology in action.