MICAfest featuring the Art of Mothers

October 28-30, 2022
photograph of a group of people dressed for a cocktail party fundraiser at Mothers Institute for Collaboration and Art's MICAfest 2022.

MICAfest 2022 featured the Art of Mothers

A Celebration of Diversity and Artistic Expression

MICAfest 2022 was a groundbreaking event that shattered stereotypes and redefined the narrative of motherhood through art. The festival showcased the extraordinary talents of over 40 mom artists from across the East Coast, providing a platform for them to share their diverse artistic expressions and experiences.

Beyond the Stereotypes

MICAfest 2022 went beyond the typical perception of mother artists, highlighting their artistic brilliance and the breadth of their creative endeavors. The festival featured a wide range of artwork, including environmental and biological themes, tributes to black icons through collage, sculpture, woodcut prints, watercolors, abstract and realistic paintings, and even hand-woven rugs inspired by 1980s technology, created in collaboration with artificial intelligence.

A Voice for All Mothers

As one artist eloquently stated, “Being given the opportunity to share my artwork in such a public way because I’m a mother, not despite being a mother, that was pretty progressive thinking. Thank you MICA!” This sentiment echoed throughout the festival, as mom artists from various backgrounds and artistic disciplines came together to celebrate their creativity and challenge societal expectations.

A Legacy of Artistic Brilliance

MICAfest 2022 has left an indelible mark on the art community, demonstrating the power of art to transcend boundaries and challenge perceptions. The festival has ignited a movement, empowering women to embrace their artistic voices and challenge the status quo.

Celebrating the Artistic Spirit of Mothers

As we look forward to future MICAfest events, we carry the legacy of courage, resilience, and artistic brilliance ignited by MICAfest 2022. We celebrate the groundbreaking work of these extraordinary women, who have redefined the narrative of motherhood and paved the way for future generations of artists to embrace their authentic voices.

Read our one page summary of MICAfest 2022See who the featured artists were
MICAfest schedule in background with a red banner with text: We did it! Thank you! And a yellow banner across the bottom with text: Extended through 2022!

Dreams Really Do Come True

Our FRIDAY NIGHT GALA EVENT was a success! Lark Jazz Trio played on the mezzanine while people mingled and had hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, and we culminated the evening with members of Dear Ella and the O-Tones.

But that is not all, my dear. We have two more events featuring MICA artists on Friday, November 11, and Friday, December 9, from 5-8 pm. Arts Night Out is when art takes over Northampton! Meet us at 33 Hawley for a reception with refreshments and live music with original songs by Elena Ciampa singing and playing the piano on November 11th. And in December, we have a second Arts Night Out celebration on December 09, from 5-8 pm, with Christa Joy. Both women are MICA-featured artists!

Almost all the art displayed is for sale, so let us know if you want to buy it. Email artsales@experiencemica.org

MICAfest

Visual and Performing Arts Festival

Featuring the Art of Mothers

For three days only, the artistic talents of more than 40 artistic mothers from up and down the east coast are featured at MICAFest at Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley in Northampton, MA.

October 28, 29, 30, 2022

Halloween Weekend

Hannah Richards, Tongue in Cheek. Image courtesy of the artist.

MICAfest Preview

MICAfest Preview

sculpture by Roseanne Sniderman

Kiayani Douglas, Janelle. Image courtesy of the artist.

Painting mural pregnant woman falling greens and blues

Roseanne Sniderman, Pink. Image courtesy of the artist.

Mt Tom July painting thin trees with mountain background

Cynthia Chamberland, MT Tom July. Image courtesy of the artist.

Image of Angela Davis with collage  Mixed Media

Robin Griffith, Black Lives Matter. Image courtesy of the artist.

un·fixed still life of Dolly S. Dalí… a mini epic film by Jennifer Scully-Thurston (c) 2022 USA​. Video courtesy of the artist.

Rebirth, . Video courtesy of the artist.

Elena Ciampa, Bust it Out Live. Video courtesy of the artist.

Rythea Lee, Rythea’s Story. Video courtesy of the artist.

Painting

Ann Cloutier, Cynthia Chamberland, Dara Herman Zierlein, Hannah Richards, Elena Allee,   Lisa Andrews, Loretta Kane, Mary Witt, Lyn Horan, Procheta Olson, and Natasha Colon Ortiz.

 

Mixed Media

Angela Zammarelli, Myrrh Brooks, Eva Pushkova, Kiayani Douglas, Robin Griffith, Jennifer Scully-Thurston

 

Ceramics

Rosanne Sniderman

 

Drawing

Amy Kotel, Elena Allee, Patricia Parker

 

Photography

Heather Matys, Julia Max, Katie Russo

 

Performance/Theatre

Performance Project’s First Generation Ensemble, Rythea Lee, Kate Brandt, and Happier Valley Comedy presents “The Mother of All Improv Shows” featuring Katharine Daube, Sally Ekus, Kelsey Flynn, Holly Ruderman, and Pam Victor.

Dance/Film

Sherine Khatoun Levy, Amy Lee, and Jennifer Scully Thurston.

 

Poetry/Spoken Word

Vanessa Adel, Lindsay Adkins, and Adrie Rose, Rachel Braidman, and a presentation and reading from Finding the Words.

 

Music

Lisa Bastoni, The Lark Jazz TrioJulia Read, FIZZI, Christa Joy and the Honeybees, Carole Abbe Smith and the Green Street TrioDear Ella, Elena Ciampa & Friends Septet, and Rebirth.

 

We are grateful to our sponsors and supporters

MICAfest was funded by the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation’s Empowering Innovation grant: 

Magic Grants for Ada Comstock Scholars.

We couldn't have done it without our sponsors!

Thank you to Smith College’s Magic Grant,  T-Ray Music, Mass Cultural Council, Arts Equity Group, Northampton Center for the Arts, The Institute for the Musical Arts, Delap Real Estate, Athan Vennell and Sloan Tomlinson, Myers Catering, and Northampton Open Media for their generous support of this event.

HGB foundation logo hot pink with white lettering
Mass Cultural Council logo black and white
Arts Equity Group logo black letters
T-Ray Music music production logo with a circle outlined in black with two light blue semi-circles and red in background.
Northampton Center for the Arts logo. bright yellow on the left, dark background, text says, Center for the Arts in light colors)
Institute for the Musical Arts logo in black and white with abstract drawing.
Delap real estate logo black and white
Northampton Open Media logo

Supporting Women in the Arts

Three days of provocative art, innovation, laughter, tears, and good food.

MICAFest will be at

Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley.

33 Hawley Street
Northampton, MA 01060, USA

MICA FEST Open Hours

Friday 10/28/22: 6pm – 10pm
Saturday 10/29/22: 12pm – 10pm
Sunday 10/30/22: 12pm – 8pm