In 2008 I received an invitation from Melissa Tevere to participate in a reunion exhibition at The Cheltenham Center for the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania entitled Tyler School of Art 1988-2008: 20 Years Fast Forward. Melissa and I had been in the same graduating class at Tyler School of Art twenty years earlier. Now that I was in touch with my former classmate, I discovered her website for MamaCita, A Mother’s Cooperative in the Arts. This was my introduction to Melissa’s organization. I checked into the website regularly and was inspired by what I saw. At the same time, my 2 ½ year old son was reaching an age where I could begin to pick up a paint brush again. In May of 2009 MamaCita held an exhibition in conjunction with a screening of a film about the challenge of being both a mother and an artist entitled Who Does She Think She Is. This film inspired me to become more proactive about finding opportunities to exhibit my paintings and so, I approached Melissa with the idea of expanding MamaCita to include a sister chapter. Melissa and the MamaCita membership were generous, supportive, encouraging and Sister MamaCita was born.
I experience great joy in encouraging people to listen to their creative impulse and in providing opportunities for artists to share their work. The process of unifying women through the exhibition of their work and the challenge of developing relevant and dynamic exhibitions is fulfilling.
