A free original performance titled "The Art of a Woman" will premiere to a sidewalk audience in OASIS display window on Friday, March 5 as part of the opening reception.  During the public reception at the gallery, the community can view the featured exhibit, and hear a small group of artists share their personal thoughts about how womanhood influences their art.  The exhibit is part of the "Minds Wide Open" project, the first state-wide celebration of women in the arts.

Deb Booth, a photographer in the exhibit, galvanized artists with her description of the show: "In view of the fact that women comprise an estimated 50.9% of the population of the United States, the artisans of OASIS would like to create an exhibit honoring the concept of "woman" - the feminine essence, comprised of all its variants.  Strength, nurturance, hope, love, sensuality, power, creativity, endurance, obstinacy, assertiveness, joy and generosity - all traits that can be - and should be - associated with womanhood - will be considered under the wide, and thought-provoking scope of this proposed exhibit.  Help OASIS celebrate 'Womanhood' in all its glory."

The 6:15pm window performance, "The Art of a Woman", which will be repeated at 7:15pm, has dual meanings.  The producer and designer, Carmen Rose of Staunton, is a woman artist herself, known for versatile creation in many media, as seen in her painted glass, art quilts, photography and silk scarves represented at OASIS.  Also the concept as Rose expresses it, "is that a woman herself--of any size, shape or age--is a work of art, a unique and wonderfully made creation, as artists through the ages have tried to capture".  Each model, outfitted and made up in extreme fancy, will be replaced by the next in a flow of silent poses, each highlighting a facet of womanhood.  For example, a model whose skin, hair and gown make her appear to be part of a forest will portray the earthy aspect of womanhood.  Another model will portray woman as a treasure, draped in gleaming pearls and sparkling snowflakes.  Rose has designed imaginative makeup, costuming and transitions for this changing display of silent poses.   OASIS presents two performances, at 6:15pm and 7p:15pm, of "The Art of a Woman" in its display window onto Main Street, Friday, March 5.  

Models, whose ages range from 15 to 54, are scheduled in February for hair fashion, makeup, and costuming by Rose and her team, followed by a professional photo shoot with Charles Garratt in his Staunton photography studio.  After the 6:15pm performance, the models and staff will greet attendees and share a laptop slide show of the photo shoot.

"Celebrate Womanhood in All Its Glory" opening reception for 16 artists is 5-7pm on Friday, March 5 at OASIS Gallery, 103 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA.  An artists' talk at 5:45pm discusses the feminine in their art, and at 6:15pm and 7:15pm, "The Art of a Woman", is presented in the Main Street window.  Free and the public is invited.  For more information, call 540/442-8188.

More stories from Shenandoah.com: • Get the Word Out: September is Recovery Month (Shenandoah.com) - Today

More stories on Shenandoah.com: • Get the Word Out: September is Recovery Month (Shenandoah.com) - Today • Pick-your-own apple season is early in Virginia this year (Virginia Farm Bureau) - Yesterday • John Richards and The Virginians to play in September at the Music on Main concert series (Woodstock Enhancement Committee) - Tuesday Sep 07 2010 • Peruvian Dance and Music Ensemble Opens the Performing Arts Live Series at Shenandoah Conservatory (SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY) - Tuesday Sep 07 2010 • The Warren Sentinel online (The Warren Sentinel) - Monday Nov 30 2009 • All Shenandoah.com stories ...