|
 Estabrook describes Strong Girls as a series that confronts
gender biases by portraying “a small sample of the strength in our
community” through black and white photographs. The photos include
Estabrook’s former art students from Stevenson Elementary School in
Bloomington, IL. Each girl demonstrates unique strengths and
individual character.
Join the conversation
After teaching art for six years at Stevenson, Estabrook noticed how
gender biases in the community create disadvantages for girls who
are up against a history of suppression, silence and inequality.
“A strong girl in our society needs to stand up for herself and
persevere through a great number of challenges,” said Estabrook.
“She is one who does not subscribe to gender norms, believes she can
do anything she sets her mind to and works independently without the
need for validation from others.”
 Gallery Coordinator Danell Dvorak adds that a strong girl can mean
different things to different people. “We want this exhibit to start
a conversation,” she said. “What is a strong girl? Who are the
strong girls in your life?”
Individuals are encouraged to join the conversation by using #HCCstronggirls
on the College’s social media outlets: Twitter: @Heartland_CC,
Instagram: @heartlandhawks, Facebook: facebook.com/heartlandcommunitycollege
Gallery activities An artist reception takes place Tuesday,
March 31 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the gallery. The reception
includes light refreshments and a free drawing activity for
kids.
In conjunction with her exhibit, Estabrook will present a free
photogram workshop for area high school students. The workshop
takes place Saturday, April 11 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in room
2501 of HCC’s Instructional Commons Building. Registration is
required and can be completed by emailing Danell Dvorak at
danell.dvorak@heartland.edu.
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 About the artist Estabrook is a practicing artist
and an art teacher at Bloomington High School. Her photographs,
mixed media works and interactive installations have been exhibited
at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, McMaster Art Gallery in Columbia,
South Carolina and Limner Gallery in New York City, among others.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in art history and a master of arts in
teaching K-12 art education from the University of South Carolina,
Columbia. Additionally, she earned a master of fine arts in
photography from Southern Illinois University. Estabrook taught at
Stevenson Elementary from 2007-2014, and was awarded classroom
grants for art supplies and equipment from State Farm and the Beyond
the Books Educational Foundation in 2011. Her professional
memberships include the Illinois Art Education Association and the
National Art Education Association
About the gallery Exhibits, events and parking at
Heartland’s Joe McCauley Gallery are free. Gallery hours are
weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on days the College is open.
For more information about Strong Girls, contact Danell Dvorak,
gallery coordinator, at danell.dvorak@heartland.edu and (309)
268-8599, or call Heartland’s Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Department at (309) 268-8620.
Get updates about Heartland Community College at heartland.edu
[Becky Gropp, Heartland Community
College]
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