"The Apron Show" at Reflection Gallery January 11 to February 3

The Finlandia University Reflection Gallery, Hancock, will host an exhibition of altered and handmade aprons from January 11 to February 3, 2010.

An opening reception and artist talk will take place Thursday, January 21, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., at the Reflection Gallery. The reception is open to the public and all are welcome.

The exhibit, organized by the Finlandia Young Women's Caucus (YWC), is titled "The Apron Show." It is centered on the idea that aprons have a long history of association with women. The YWC and the Reflection Gallery hope the exhibit will prompt viewers to reflect on their own personal history and memories associated with aprons - and the women in their lives who wore them.

The exhibition includes aprons made by individuals in Canada, England, New Jersey, San Francisco, Chicago, and several other states. Many local artists created handmade aprons, including local fiber artist and Finlandia University art and design associate professor Phyllis Fredendall.

Fredendall says her apron entry was created while she completed a recent residency at the Felt Center in Petäjävesi, Finland. She says, "the apron represents for me all of the wonderful experiences I have had in the far north."

YWC president and Finlandia art and design junior Laura Lakanen states that, "in the world in which our mothers and grandmothers grew up, the universal expectations included getting married, bearing children, and cooking, cleaning, and ironing - in an apron. Because these pre-1970s women fought to give the women they bore (us) more choices, we are free to reinterpret the symbol of the apron as we see fit."

Lakanen continues that while in the most simple terms, an apron is defined as a protective garment worn to keep clothing clean, by creating this exhibition of aprons, individuals were invited to express their own interpretations of what "the apron" means.
She hopes that the exhibit pieces will spur viewer reflection and discussion about women's issues in a creative and fun way, and encourage a dialogue through which we can more fully understand and appreciate where we came from and what may be ahead.

This show is especially important to Reflection Gallery staff because gallery curator Jaimianne Ammicucci is an officer of the YWC, and gallery director Amanda Moyer is an active member of the organization.

Ammicucci and Moyer explain, "We are very excited about the YWC's first exhibition and we hope to see all of you there to support this great show. You will see aprons made by Finlandia University faculty and students, community artists, and individuals from other states. This is an exhibition you do not want to miss!"

Following its exhibition at the Reflection Gallery, "The Apron Show" will travel to St. Louis (Missouri) Community College, the University of Wisconsin, and other states.

The Young Women's Caucus is an internal branch of the National Women's Caucus for Art. The YWC, started at Finlandia University, is committed to providing resources, opportunities, and support to young women artists. Through art and community involvement, the YWC seeks to remind women of how powerful and influential they really are. Visit the Young Women's Caucus blog at http://youngwc.blogspot.com.

The Reflection Gallery is located on the second level of Finlandia's Jutila Center campus, 200 Michigan St., Hancock.
For additional information, please contact Yueh-mei Cheng, Finlandia University associate professor of studio arts, at 906-487-7375 or yueh-mei.cheng@finlandia.edu.