E14: GRRRL POWER

June – August, 2017

Transformer is proud to present the 14th year of our Exercises for Emerging Artists program with E14: GRRRL POWER. Partnering with DC-based organization Girl Power Meetups (GPM), this year's' Exercises will focus on supporting and empowering young women in the arts, bringing together multiple generations of female (and female-identifying) artists, curators, cultural producers and activists to support, educate, connect and collaborate creatively. 

Founded in the fall of 2015 by 22-year old artist and DC-native, Samera Paz, and ran by women of color, GPM is a movement based in Washington D.C. that aims to bring young women together to support, educate and connect. Through the hosting of monthly meet-ups in museum and community spaces, girls ranging in ages from 15 to 25 gather in groups of thirty to seventy of their peers to discuss social/personal issues, create friendships, share their art and empower one another. 

Paz expands upon what drew her to found the movement; “Girl Power Meetups was an idea I came up with that originated from going to women powered events like Politico’s Women Rule and Glamour Magazine’s Women of the Year Awards in 2015. I saw how important it was to highlight women who were chasing their dreams and how we need to start supporting each other.” (Washington City Paper)

With E14: GRRRL POWER, Transformer is excited to encourage and support GPM by expanding upon their existing model of monthly meet-ups, incorporating multi-generational multi-discipline mentors, and sponsoring bi-monthly events in various museums & gallery spaces across the district. Culminating in an alternative to the cliché “ladies luncheon”, Transformer will host a women’s empowerment summit featuring “pecha-kucha” style presentations by GPM members and visiting mentors, inviting this inspiring group of women to reflect on the E14 programming and events held over the summer. 

Exercises For Emerging Artists

Launched in March 2004, Transformer’s annual Exercises For Emerging Artists program supports DC based emerging artists at critical points or crossroads in their professional growth and creative development. Intended to both advance artists' careers and build peer support, the Exercises program consists of comprehensive bi-weekly peer critique and mentorship sessions spanning several months to stimulate and encourage the participating artists as they create new work. Facilitated by Transformer staff, the participating artists receive mentorship and feedback from a series of visiting mentors comprised of more established artists, curators, gallerists, and critics.