Homer Alaska - Arts

"Circle of Women" started with a survey Martin did in 2003 while working on her master of arts at Prescott College, Arizona. Martin had the idea of updating and expanding that survey, with Whiting doing photo illustrations. They presented an exhibit proposal to Fireweed Gallery, where Whiting works part time and exhibits her art. The project came together when Whiting got a Stranded Art Grant in 2008. Funds from the grant helped facilitate the show, Whiting said.

For the show, Martin selected representative answers. Except for the age of the person, the women aren't identified. Whiting's photographs don't show full faces and are portraits of hands, eyes or heads.

"The idea is it's every woman's experience there," Whiting said. "It's not so much who said it."

The hard part was choosing answers, Martin said.

"It's so fascinating," she said of the range of responses. "It breaks my heart I can't include everyone in the show."

All the responses women gave are included in a binder that goes with the show.

A question about some of the challenges women have overcome evoked strong responses. Women wrote about dealing with death, aging, sexual abuse and being a mother.

"It's very personal what they wrote," Martin said.

"It's very sacred what they shared," Whiting added.

Whiting has had four previous single-artist shows, but this is her first collaboration. For Martin this is her first show. Whiting has done mostly landscape and nature photography.

"This definitely challenged me. I'm not a portrait photographer," Whiting said. "I felt this to be creative and challenging. It pulled me out of my box. My desire is that my images speak volumes."

The artists found some common answers from women. Women kept saying that the thing they like most about being a woman is being able to share thoughts with and trust each other. That comfort in sharing also helped them get over heartbreak — they talk to their girlfriends. The best way to find comfort?

"Chocolate and wine," Whiting said.

"Circle of Women" shows through the end of March. Ten percent of the proceeds for sales of art work goes to Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic.

New shows also open First Friday at Bunnell Street Arts Center, the Homer Council on the Arts, Picture Alaska Gallery and Ptarmigan Arts (see list, page 9).

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.