INDIANAPOLIS — On Feb. 1, the Wheeler Art Center will host the “Girl Stories” Art Show, an exhibition of work from a girl’s empowerment project by Indianapolis artist Lori Leaumont. The opening is from 6 – 9 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Artwork by Leaumont, as well as by students from the Girl Stories workshop will be on display, with interactive storytelling activities for both children and adults. Music will be provided by 19 year old singer, songwriter, and guitarist Joy Mills, who will perform live at 7:30 p.m.
Indianapolis ceramic artist Lori Leaumont launched a Kickstarter project to counteract the dearth of strong, diverse, and well rounded female characters in popular media. The Girl Stories project goal was twofold: to create sculptures of non-stereotypical female characters with great stories; and to inspire other girls and women to tell stories of their own by making art. Her Kickstarter project smashed a goal of $700 in less than 24 hours, and raised more than $2,500 by the end of it’s 30 day run, receiving an overwhelming response from vocal supporters, many of whom were mothers and fathers of young girls. With the additional funds, she was not only able to complete her series of narrative sculptures, but also offered an 8 week clay workshop in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana and Beech Grove Clay Works to make free art classes available to matches in their mentor program.
“I’ve always been dismayed by the lack of diverse female characters in the movies, books, and video games that I loved, but having a daughter of my own brought my interest in girl’s stories to a head,” said Leaumont “I wanted stories for her that depicted girls as more than just princesses or damsels in distress, and while they existed, they weren’t nearly as plentiful as I’d like. As an artist, I felt like I had a responsibility to help fill the void. I wanted to create the kind of content I wanted to see, and maybe inspire more women and girls to get out there and do the same.”
“I want to continue this project,” said Leaumont, “It is my hope that by creating artwork that tells good stories about girls, and encouraging more girls and women to tell stories of their own, the next generation of artists, filmmakers, programmers, scientists, writers, and leaders will come from girls who learned to value their voice and ideas.”
