Since 1981 the WE Health Clinic has provided sexual, reproductive and abortion services. They believe that everyone should be in control of their own sexual and reproductive health. Their mission is to provide, advance, and advocate for evidence-based reproductive and sexual health care for all and continue to strive to help all patients make informed and confident health decisions. https://wehealthclinic.org/
Clinic escorts volunteer their services year round to assure all patients safe entry into the clinic to receive their abortion. Through abusive and loud verbal attacks the volunteers quickly guide patients through the lineup of protestors into WE Health Clinic.
Standing up for what we believe to be the right of every person takes commitment and effort. Now more than ever we need to be that voice, that person, that driver and that volunteer to sustain our community. If we don’t continue to demonstrate what it means to be a thriving community – where we take care of our neighbor and support one another – we risk losing our community to tyrants.
“Houses From My Life” (BBankson Commission) oil on canvas 40″ x 40″
Commissions are always a welcome challenge. Being entrusted to depict the intended idea/theme is a huge responsibility. When beginning to work on a commission typically I can get anxious – intimidated by the work. Then, I remind myself, I was chosen to do what I do and I breathe easier. Trust yourself to be your best.
I truly appreciate the opportunity to complete commissioned work. Contact me if you want to talk.
Pleased to be a part of the annual Nordic Center Spring exhibition focusing on flowers. This time of year they are a very pleasant distraction from the ever present melting snow and ice.
Opening March 6th, 6-9 PM. Exhibition runs March 6 – May. 2 Open Hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00
Lake Ave and Superior St./Lake Superior Fountain and Park (Lake Ave. and Superior St Trans-Affirming Street Side) 2023 pastel on paper 19.5″ x 29″
Lake Ave and Superior St./Lake Superior Fountain and Park (Lake Ave. and Superior St Trans-Affirming Street Side) is showing in the Woman Made Gallery, Chicago. A virtual exhibition “Quiet Piggy: We Cannot Be Silenced” will be previewed along with “100% Human” at WINTER TORCH, Epiphany Center for the Arts , February 15th, 4-5:30 PM
CHICAGO—Woman Made Gallery (WMG) announces Quiet Piggy: We Cannot Be Silenced, a virtual group exhibition juried by Julie Carpenter. The exhibition features work in a variety of mediums by 58 artists from the United States and abroad.
Language has long been wielded as a weapon — misogynistic terms, often used by men, become instruments of control and erasure, with words used to diminish, demean, and silence women. Quiet Piggy: We Cannot Be Silenced is about the enduring power of art to confront disparaging language and reclaim agency. The exhibition confronts the language of degradation head-on. The title Quiet Piggy is deliberately provocative: a derogatory term crudely tethered to negative connotations about the female body, horrifyingly used to shame, silence, and marginalize. By reframing and challenging this insult, the exhibition subverts the term into a narrative of resistance.
Here, the term becomes a rally cry for resilience. Voices are not hushed but amplified. To remain silent in the face of such language is complicity; to speak and to defend is defiance. This exhibition insists that women’s voices, bodies, and truths cannot be reduced, censored, or erased.
Juror Julie Carpenter states: “The selected artwork in Quiet Piggy: We Cannot Be Silenced stands as both a declaration and a rally cry. In these dark times—when rights are threatened, voices are suppressed, and communities are tested—the artists in this exhibition respond with unmistakable defiance and a necessary blaze of optimism. Their work turns empathy, resilience, and solidarity into an illuminating force, proving that creative expression can still raise people up when the world feels unbearably heavy.”
Exhibiting Artists: Amended Archives, Olivia Rachel Austin, Carrie Bennett, Brooke Elizabeth, H. Buchholz, Patricia Brown, Laurie Buman, Sarah Chavez, Heather Crawford, Julianna Dail, Loren Dann, Whitney Dirks, Susanna Eisenman, Erin Rae, Jamie Frontiera, Ellie Goodliffe, Set Gozo, S. Grant, Sandra Guze, Jenn Book Haselswerdt, S Kessler Kaminski, Maegan Kirschner, Victoria Kowalczyk, Kim Laurel, Gayla Lemke, Maiyan Linane, Clarissa Martinez, Jen McNulty, Melisa of MWY Pottery, Lori Moretti, Irene Nelson, Kathleen Cecilia Nesbitt, Julia Niepert, Carolyn Olson, Gali Orlen, Suzanne Papiewski, Sylvia Phillips, Jill Sarver Rossi, Amy L Ruddy, Fran Sampson, Nicole Schulman, Virginia Shepley, Sitaaj, Sharon Stanczak, Wendy L Starn, Rebecca C. Steiner, Linda Storm, Kim Stuart, Sahar Tarighi, Jennifer Taylor, Scotti Taylor, Cheryl A. Thomas, Rhonda Urdang, Gail M. Willert, Madeline Witek, Denise Yaghmourian, Isabel Zeng, Jane Zich
About the Juror: Julie Carpenter serves on the Board of Directors of Woman Made Gallery. She is the former Director of Art & Programming at Epiphany Center for the Arts, and prior, served as the Executive Director of the Oak Park Art League, one of Illinois’ oldest, continually operating nonprofit art centers. In 2024, Julie was named one of Newcity Magazine’s Art50, recognized for curatorial leadership and contributions to Chicago’s arts community.
“Pearl’s Garden” launches March 3rd with our first book reading on March 14th at the Duluth Public Library from 2:00 PM. The Duluth Community Garden folks will provide an activity supporting their “One Community – One Vegetable” program. The event is geared for young readers, ages 3-7, accompanied by an adult. Come join us!
Additional book readings: March 21st – Next Chapter Books, St. Paul, MN 10:45 AM March 22nd – Eastside Coop, Mpls, MN 10:00 AM March 28th – Zenith Books, Duluth, MN 11:30 AM April 18th – Oliver Kelly Farm, Elk River, MN 10:00 AM May 2nd, – Mill City Museum, Mpls, MN 10:00 AM May 16th – Fitger’s Bookstore, Duluth, MN 11:00 AM May 23rd – Whole Foods Coop/Denfeld, Duluth,MN 10:00 AM June 13th – Gitigaan Garden Program, Giizhimiijimewining, Fond du Lac Reservation, Cloquet, MN 11:00 AM June 20th – American Swedish Institute, Midsommar, Mpls, MN 11:00 AM June 27th – Split Rock Lighthouse, 1:00-3:00 PM
“Chosen Family” and “Mutual Aid” pastel on paper March 6 – April 24
Shoveling Snow After a Snow Storm – Mutual Aid 25″ x 50″ pastel on paper
This is the last pastel in the Mutual Aid series of pastels completed in 2025. It will join the other works at the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids, opening March 6th, 4-7 PM. Exhibition March 6 – April 24.
Mutual aid snow removal connects neighbors needing help (often seniors, disabled, or injured) with volunteers willing to shovel driveways/sidewalks. Some community groups are also available to volunteer their services. These efforts focus on neighborly kindness, ensuring accessibility, and supporting those who can’t afford commercial services or physically manage the task.
Just in time! 20 of your favorite holiday cookie recipes. Books on sale at Blue Heron Trading Post, DeWit-Seitz Bldg, Canal Park, Duluth Lizzard’s Gallery, 11 W. Superior St, Duluth
