Juror: Steffanie Samuels

Juror Steff Samuels, prior to working in oil and mixed media, was an award-winning ceramic sculptor. She taught, lectured and displayed in national galleries, books, museums, and magazines. Today Steffanie Samuels is an abstract environmental artist focusing on climate change.

Her pieces are statements to remind the public of the truth of what we are experiencing. Samuels says,” There’s no place for politics in our personal, medical, psychological and economic well being”. For September 2024, Samuels was artist in residency on Climate Change in the Canary Archipelago on the island of La Gomera. Samuels is a beloved member of Lawrence Street Gallery with new work shown monthly.

You are cordially invited to a beautiful, breath-taking exhibit, filled with contrasts, nuances and stunning imagery. Celebrate Women’s History Month with VITAL SIGNS at the Lawrence Street Gallery. Step inside the show to witness exquisite art created by the Women’s Caucus for Art Michigan’s members. Thirty women artists will be represented. You will discover stories related to the artists’ own lives. This art might interrogate health and wellness journeys, portraying powerful emotions such as pride and resilience, or perhaps depict a bumpy ride that many may be able to relate to during these tumultuous times.

Why this show? Why now? Inequalities in society effect women’s health; whether it’s differences in hospital care, lack of focus on crimes that disproportionately affect women (like domestic abuse), lack of pay equality, reproductive health freedom, workplace treatment, access to affordable childcare or any other number of social norms and political realities that impact women.

Visitors may connect with art that explores realms of physical or mental health or the joy of recovery and positive social relationships. Parenting, fitness, and social roles as sisters, mothers, daughters, teachers, leaders, mentees and friends portray the complex roles of contemporary women. Artists included in this show are:

Liz Barick Fall

Betsy Beckerman

Suzanne Marie Boissy

Emily A. Bush

Barbara Melnik Carson

Sue Cutler

Deborah Friedman

Setareh Ghoreishi

Carla Grayson

Idelle Hammond Sass

Shalonda Jemison

Kim Kleindhart

Carol Morris

Mary Onifer

Steffanie Samuels

CM Sears

Ellen Stern

Dr. Vasu Tolia

Bonnie Weinreich

Nancy Wanchik

Dawn Mattocks

Below are a few pieces included in this exhibit. Stay tuned for the rest of the show!