Posted: June 2, 2017Written by: Lauren Milbourne

Tags: 2017, featured, press release

This summer, Cuesta College’s Harold J. Miossi Gallery hosts Rivet: An Exhibition of Women in Trade. The exhibition features the works of international tradeswomen including welders, electricians, blacksmiths, ironworkers, firefighters, and carpenters. The exhibit runs June 22-July 29. An opening reception on June 22 features performance artist and welder Hilary Peach at 5:00 p.m. and a lecture at 5:30 p.m. by poet, artist, scholar, and author Susan Eisenberg.

In addition, on July 8 the public is invited to take part in a film screening of Sista in the Brotherhood, an award-winning short film about a black tradeswoman who must choose between taking a stand or losing her job. The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. in the Cuesta College sculpture yard (located in the 4000 building complex) and includes a panel discussion featuring local tradeswomen.

“We are so excited to showcase the works of females in the trades,” said Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery Coordinator Emma Saperstein. “Whether the pieces in this exhibition are a product of their trade or a complement to it, the show is designed to celebrate the skill and craftsmanship of tradeswomen’s work. Additionally, Rivet also serves to facilitate a critical dialogue on gender inequality in the workforce. We hope it starts a conversation about the striving for equality in male-dominated industries.”

Participating artists and tradeswomen include Monica Coyne, Brenda Berkman, Victoria Hamlin, Susan Eisenberg, Cailin Short, Sandy Thacker, Angela Rene Wright, Hilary Peach, Ash Jiminez, Kahla Litchti Judy Kujundzic and Kate Braid.

The Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery is located in room 7170, on the San Luis Obispo campus of Cuesta College. It is open Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call (805) 546-3202 or email gallery@cuesta.edu.