As part of the Embodying Culture: Women in Appalachia exhibition and event series, an interactive addition will be installed through The Column of Diversity, A Color Psychology Workshop with Nija Woods. A tree-like column in the middle of the exhibit will be transformed collaboratively. The workshop took place on Feb. 23 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., but participation is encouraged until the installation closes in the summer on July 4.
Local artist Nija Woods works heavily with color therapy and the effects of colors. “Colors have influence on our decisions, emotions and healing,” said Woods.
Woods drew inspiration for the piece not only from color therapy but the idea of a tree. The tree-like column makes the piece unique as people add their parts. Woods hopes people will bring forth their own stories as “roots” to the installation.
Participants will have numerous impactful takeaways from interacting with art. One of Woods’ goals is to highlight mental health and how to improve it through art. “It makes you pay more attention to color, everyday lives and how you identify,” said Woods.
Reece Museum Education Coordinator Ashley Gregg said, “it is an art piece within the whole exhibit.” Embodying Culture: Women in Appalachia embraces and highlights diverse art from around the region. It contains various mediums such as stained glass, quilts, digital prints and photographs.
The space for the exhibition functions as a stage and classroom as well. Events such as the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality on Wednesday’s speaker series has been held there, further uplifting women’s voices. The next event held in the space will be an Old-Time singing workshop with Ginny Hawker and Val Mindel on March 21 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. An artist talk with award winning documentary filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon will be held on April 2 at 1:20 p.m. More information can be found at the Reece Museum website.
