“Women Walking to Water”, a new exhibition at MCLA’s Gallery 51, brings together the work of six artists – Suzi Banks Baum, Brece Honeycutt, Melanie Mowinski, Sarah Pike, Lori Spencer, and Jessica Yurkofsky – in a powerful meditation on nature, ritual, and transformation. The exhibit showcases artwork born from an immersive practice of walking to a secluded mountain swimming hole in the Greylock range foothills, where the artists embraced the ‘Wilderness Mindset’ to engage with the unpredictability of the present moment.
The Wilderness Mindset begins with the artists’ self as both the subject and the researcher, requiring them to deliberately place themselves in spaces that challenge them, and encourage surrender to the unknown. It’s a practice of presence, a way to navigate longing and loss through connection to the earth.
Under this framework, Dr. Melanie Mowinski, a professor of art at MCLA, led a group of women in a recurring ritual from May through October: walking to a remote body of water, submerging in its frigid depths, and then reconvening to share a meal and reflective conversation.
The act of cold-water immersion, with temperatures ranging from 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, became an elemental force in their practice. The experience demanded full attention, leaving no room for distraction, and cultivated resilience in the face of discomfort.
At each gathering, there was different question to prompt conversation around the Wilderness Mindset. How might it be a “tool to recenter the soul? A way of reframing fear? A feminist reclaiming of freedom,” asked Dr. Mowinski. “How is all of this about becoming?”
The six artists took part in these gatherings, each working in different mediums, including paper, drawing, textiles, and printmaking. Despite their varied approaches, a shared influence of water united the artistic creations.
Cultivating the Wilderness Mindset requires intentionally immersing yourself in an environment that challenges you and demands acceptance of the present moment’s unpredictability. This practice encourages embracing uncertainty and fosters mindful awareness of place, sensory exploration, movement, and an openness to the unknown and uncomfortable.
Since its opening reception on February 7, the exhibit has been open to the public at Gallery 51, part of MCLA’s community-serving cultural events program, MOSAIC. Through exhibitions, performances, workshops, readings, lectures, and discussions, MOSAIC presents inclusive, diverse, and accessible cultural events, aiming to foster meaningful exchanges among communities, artists, faculty, and students.
“Women Walking to Water” is more than an art exhibition – it is an invitation to reflect on the power of ritual, the beauty of surrender, and the ways in which nature can serve as both a mirror and a guide. The artworks on display range from intricate textile pieces that echo the fluidity of water to delicate paper compositions capturing the essence of impermanence. Each piece is a testament to the artists’ commitment to deepening their connection to the land, and their own creative processes.
Visitors are encouraged to consider their own relationship with nature and the role of ritual in their daily lives. Through interactive elements and thought-provoking visuals, the exhibition offers a space for contemplation and dialogue. The themes of transformation, resilience, and interconnectedness resonate beyond the gallery walls, reminding us of the power of collective experience in shaping our understanding of self and place.
In addition to the exhibition, a screening of “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” will be held on February 26 at 7pm in the MOSAIC event space, 51 Main St. The film by Anna Hints explores how, in the darkness of a smoke sauna, women share their deepest secrets and intimate experiences, shedding shame and reclaiming their strength through communal support. A discussion will follow the screening.
“Women Walking to Water” runs February 7 through March 28, 2025, at Gallery 51 (Wed-Sun, 12-5). For more information, visit www.mcla.edu/mosaic.
