From the organizer:
Join us for an evening of powerful dialogue and creative defiance at Art as Resistance: A Conversation with Women Who Create Change. A panel discussion featuring women artists who are using their work to challenge oppression, amplify marginalized voices, and reclaim power.
At a time when many feel increasingly powerless in the face of political repression, attacks on fundamental rights, and the silencing of dissent, art remains one of the most potent tools for resistance. It gives voice to the unheard, shines a light on uncomfortable truths, and inspires collective action.
This event will feature a dynamic panel of artists whose creative practices confront injustice, spark conversation, and build community in the face of adversity. Through shared stories and open discussion, we’ll explore the transformative role of art in today’s sociopolitical landscape.
Event Format:
Moderated panel discussion followed by audience Q&A and informal networking.
You're invited to come be part of the conversation; listen, engage, and connect with others who believe in the power of art to create meaningful change.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Leigh Brooklyn, Leigh Brooklyn was born outside of Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her degree in Biomedical Illustration from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2011. Brooklyn worked with several hospitals, museums, and research facilities including the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Case Western Reserve.
In 2011 Brooklyn began moving throughout the US gaining inspiration from marginalized individuals she met through her pursuit of street photography in downtown Los Angeles. This led her to switch her focus back to figurative drawing and painting. In 2019 Brooklyn began learning techniques for clay modeling, fabrication and welding, earning her lifetime certification in 3G MIG welding. After a personal upheaval in 2019 Brooklyn narrowed her focus toward women empowerment. In 2023 following a residency in France and visit to Italy she was inspired to begin an apprenticeship to learn classical and contemporary techniques for stone carving and masonry.
Brookly has won countless national and international awards for her art since 2004. Her work has been displayed in galleries, museums, and fairs extensively throughout the country including the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, Makeshift Museum in Los Angeles, the U.S. Capitol Building and Corcoran Gallery in Washington D.C.
Fatima Al Matar is an award winning artist, writer, and poet. She sought asylum in the U.S. with her daughter Jori in 2018, after facing persecution and prosecution for her political activism in Kuwait. Fatima won The Urgent Art Fund from Spaces, Ohio’s Excellence Award for Writing from Ohio Arts Council, and the Premier Artist Fellowship from Cleveland Public Theatre. Fatima wrote, produced and performed in her show “Poems of an Angry Feminist” a show that combines poetry, music, dance, and background footage, the show focuses on how the patriarchy, sexism, and misogyny impacts women’s lives every day whether it’s domestic violence at home, harassment at work, or aggression on the street.
Gina Washington earned an MFA in Photography from Ohio University and is “a Child of the Universe.” She has traveled extensively, collecting images and networking with artists. She has showcased her work worldwide and has had residencies with Akron Soul Train, Zygote Press, and Karamu House Theater. She showcased her work in Barcelona, Spain, at the Fotonostrum Gallery. She is on Mayor Justin Bibb’s Transformative Arts team to disperse life-changing monies to local artists initiating monumental projects. Gina founded Mateza Gallery LLC on Etsy and co-founded The Visit Arts Collective. They create experiential exhibitions, installations, and educational programs to engage participants and challenge their notions of the human experience through the arts.
As a multidisciplinary artist, the idea dictates the medium when she creates. Gina loves re-examining childhood sayings and fairytales. She wants to understand the human condition, especially how young girls grow up. Ultimately, she makes art by any means necessary, and through art, her goal is to bring clarity and solutions to the chaos in the world, amplifying the voices of the disenfranchised and underrepresented in the global community.
Please note: this event is not hosted by The Cleveland Bucket List, please click the learn more button for additional details and to contact the event host directly.