The Audacity

McColl Center

McColl Center is pleased to present The Audacity, a group exhibition curated by Doris Kapner, featuring Studio Artists Maddie Foss, Melanee Hamilton, Bethany Salisbury, Melissa Stutts, Karina Walter and Betsy Rosen in collaboration with Héctor Vaca Cruz and Kass Small.

The Audacity examines the conflicting and arbitrary expectations placed on women, often referred to as the "Goldilocks Dilemma." Women are criticized for being too much or too little: too loud, too soft, too assertive, too agreeable—rarely seen as "just right."

With a blend of critique and wit, each artist reflects on this experience through various mediums and everyday objects. They explore personal stories, from the pressures of a religious upbringing to society's broader expectations. These artists have the audacity to highlight these issues and claim their right to take up space.

As personal freedoms face growing threats, audacity becomes essential. The exhibition urges viewers to question the restrictions placed on women and their autonomy over their bodies, minds, and roles in society. It envisions a future where women’s roles are shaped by personal choice and empowerment, where they have the audacity to demand equity and shape their own destinies.