The Gender Summit, the second in the AH:LE project series, honored gender in our lived experience as humans. Gender expression is one of many complex and intersecting identities that contribute to each individual's uniqueness. Individuals are identified by gender within social and cultural contexts from birth onward. In spring 2017, the Gender Summit began with group screenings of participants, some with prior art experience and some without. Of the 40 individuals who attended the screenings, 29 completed the art-making process during scheduled open studio sessions. Participants reflected on their own gender expression, considering the past, present, and future, through their art making. Art making took place from April through July 2017, with participants ranging in age from 15 to 75. The resulting exhibit traveled to two states. I was honored to speak about the summit at each location, and at Marylhurst University, I was joined by several summit participants for a panel presentation at a local art therapy conference.
Exhibition locations:
Evolve Gallery @100th Monkey Studio August 2017 & Fall/Winter 2018
PSU White Gallery October 2017
Heritage University December 2017-March 2018
Marylhurst University, Mayer Gallery  April 2018
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Portland State University: White Gallery

Art work & artist statements
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Get your copy of the Gender Summit Installation HERE!
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Acknowledgements: It is with deep respect and gratitude that I acknowledge that I reside and work on the traditional homelands of the Cowlitz and Clackamas tribes. I acknowledge and honor with reverence those who have stewarded this land, through colonization, systemic racism, structural racism, and genocidal policies. Additionally, I hold in the highest esteem those who have been historically enslaved upon this land, as well as those who may have been excluded to this land due to race, national origin, citizenship, and ethnicity. I offer some of my art therapy services at no charge to those who's homelands I occupy. If this applies to you or someone you know and you'd like to find out more please contact me.

Beth Ann Short LLC