Art has the power to bring about change, and change often begins with dialogue. This postcard project intends to facilitate taking that challenging first step: talking with each other about difficult subject matter.

In March of 2009, the Sabatini Art Gallery is hosting the traveling exhibit, Girl Culture. Internationally reknowned photographer and artist, Lauren Greenfield, has created a collection of images representing many facets of "growing up girl" in America in the 21st century. As many of Greenfield's images document the effects of the media and contemporary culture on developing children, adolescents and young women, body image and self-esteem appear to take the greatest hit. Both subjects are often difficult to discuss, so we're giving our community an opportunity to let their feelings out artistically and anonymously.

Postcard Project Instructions: Located in both the Sabatini Art Gallery and the Library's new teen space (The Edge) are black boxes with blank postcards. Participants are encouraged to identify a body image secret, something they may have never shared before or are too afraid to share, and use the front of the postcard to express their secret. Past examples have used collage, photographs, illustrations, writing, paint, tape, glue, watercolor—the possibilities are limited only to your imagination. Once your postcard is complete, just put a stamp on it and drop it in a mailbox somewhere, or slip it into one of the two black boxes provided. Your identity will remain anonymous. Postcard entries will be collected over the next three months and later displayed during Girl Culture. Our hope is that by doing this, guests will not only feel more empowered after revealing something so personal, but relieved to find how many other people feel exactly the same way.

To get you thinking, check out these postcard examples pulled from another postcard project on the web (sometimes seeing examples makes it easier):

This project is geared towards adolescents and adults (both women and men) and isn't intended for young children.

Parental discretion is advised when viewing this exhibit.
Greenfield/Evers, LLC circulates the Girl Culture exhibition.