My Ritual Before an Exhibition
The week before an exhibition opens, I slow down because that time feels sacred to me, and I don’t want to rush through it or feel like I have to prove anything. I just get quieter and come back to myself.
I spend time with the work, by sitting with each piece and let myself feel it honestly. I think about what it means to me now, and try to remember where I was mentally and emotionally when I created each piece. I notice what has changed in me since then. Sometimes the emotion is still strong, other times it has softened. Either way, I let it be what it is.
I ground myself spiritually:
I spend time with God by praying and reading my Bible. I sit in silence long enough to hear what is happening in my own heart. Before the work leaves my hands and enters the world, I make sure I am centered. I remind myself that the ability to create is a gift. That reminder takes the pressure off, and helps me trust what I have made.
The day of the exhibit, I am very protective of my energy. I try not to overload my schedule. I do what needs to be done and nothing extra. I move through my days slowly and intentionally. I protect my peace, and say no when I need to, because I understand that my mind and heart need room to breathe.
I choose quiet, steady activities:
I draw, read, listen to soft jazz, and sometimes sat in total silence. I stay off social media, and avoid scrolling, and try to stay connected to myself.
I think about the people who will be in the room, the conversations and the atmosphere. The other artists who are exhibiting their work alongside me. The quiet moments when someone stands in front of a piece and just looks. I prepare my heart to share that space.
I take care of my body:
I eat well, and rest. I move gently, and make sure I feel steady and clear so I do not become overwhelmed during the event. I remind myself that being present matters more than being perfect.
Before the doors open and the room fills, I return to God, to myself, and to why I create. And when the night finally comes, I feel ready and grounded.
Pierro Gallery presents Female Hysteria, a group exhibition confronting the historically misogynistic diagnosis once used to pathologize women’s emotions and bodies.
The exhibition reclaims the term, showcasing women artists whose work embraces intensity, beauty, rage, humor, vulnerability, and power.
🗓 Opening Reception: Thursday, February 26 | 6:30–8:30 PM 📍 Pierro Gallery, Baird Community Center 5 Mead St, South Orange, NJ 🖼 On view through April 10