WOW: Wonderful Old Women is a Bihl Haus Arts gallery exhibition by long-time senior center instructor Gabbe Grodin. This project is inspired by a book called Wonderful Old Women, a series of interviews conducted by Bonnie Lyons, edited by both Bonnie and Deb Fields, with photographs by Linda Harris. In the book (Outskirts Press, 2016), thirteen women, ages 80 to 97, tell their stories, reflecting on how they see themselves and their life’s journey. In this visual version of WOW, Grodin shares her My Matrilineage (58 portraits on a single canvas) and fourteen life-size oil paintings of her students showing us their paintings. Tens of paintings and drawings from Grodin’s students will also have their place in the exhibition.
WOW: Wonderful Old Women will be on view for six weeks, from June 18th through July 30th. The opening reception will be a lively celebration on Saturday, June 18th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., featuring food, drinks, and “Ladies’ Night Karaoke.” There will be a women’s talking circle on aging in the gallery (TBA), and a closing reception Saturday July 30, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., featuring readings by Bonnie Lyons and her students from the Alicia Treviño López Senior Center. Leading up to the show, art historian Xan Murphy interviewed Gabbe Grodin about her work. A zine of this interview will be on sale in the gallery. Copies of Lyons' Wonderful Old Women will also be on sale in the gallery.
