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Against the backdrop of Women’s History Month, the Beverly Arts Center transformed into a vibrant celebration of female creativity as Saint Xavier University artists gathered for an evening of art, storytelling, and performance.
The exhibition reception, held on March 7 at 2407 W. 111th St., featured two dynamic showcases: History and Time by SXU adjunct faculty member Gretchen Hasse and Celebrating Women Artists, an exhibit highlighting the diverse talents of SXU’s female faculty, alumni, and students.
“The Beverly Arts Center is amazing – I’ve been really impressed with the amount of support shown to represent women in the arts,” Gretchen Hasse said.
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Hasse’s History and Time captivated audiences with its fusion of music, dance, and puppetry, exploring the vast contrast between recorded history and the planet’s ancient past. Written, directed, and produced by Hasse in collaboration with dancer Melissa Simo and actor-musician John Koster, the performance, part of The Dinosaur Opera, a multi-chapter puppet saga, took viewers on a journey through time, questioning meaning and purpose through the lens of dinosaurs. The live performance added a theatrical dimension to the evening’s festivities.
Complementing the performance, Celebrating Women Artists honored the artistic voices of SXU women across multiple media, including paintings, photography, drawings, mixed media, and ceramics.
Alejandra Rodriguez, Saint Xavier University’s Art Department administrative assistant, co-curated the exhibition alongside SXU senior Angie Clayton and faculty member Casey Burton. A Chicago resident and 2023 SXU graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and a minor in Graphic Design, Rodriguez emphasized the importance of fostering a creative community.
“Celebrating Women Artists serves as an opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate women artists of Saint Xavier University and the work that they are actively creating,” Rodriguez said.
The event was initially proposed as part of Bold Women, Bold Voices, a fundraising initiative by the Beverly Arts Center. Hosting it in March felt especially fitting, Rodriguez said, to honor Women’s History Month and highlight the artistic contributions of SXU women from different backgrounds, including students, faculty, and alumni.
Rodriguez’s own work, Don’t Be Shy, was featured in the exhibit. A mixed media piece, the artwork invites viewers to examine it both from afar and up close, revealing layers of detail that mirror Rodriguez’s personal journey.
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“I tend to be reserved and hesitate to put myself in the center of attention,” Rodriguez said. “While I am the subject in this piece, I am blurry and blend into the background when seen from a distance. When given attention from a closer distance, my facial features emerge, and the viewer gets lost in the surrounding details of my work. It is a reminder to not feel shy when in the presence of others and to allow space for others to get to know me.”
SXU senior Angie Clayton, who played a key role in organizing the exhibition, reflected on its significance.
“As a senior art major, I had been wanting to curate my own exhibition for a long time,” Clayton said. “I was happy to be able to focus on a topic like this and celebrate women artists in our community. This is a smaller community that doesn’t get much recognition, so being able to work with so many talented women and to be able to come together like this is something so significant and a crucial part of who we all are.”
SXU faculty member Casey Burton echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the expressive power of the works on display.
“I think about the magic of expressing oneself through material,” Burton said. “In this exhibition, we gain an insight into the minds and spirits of powerful women.”
The evening also featured a striking display of student photography, further showcasing the artistic depth of SXU students. The reception brought together artists, students, faculty, and community members to celebrate art and history, making it a fitting tribute to Women’s History Month and the creative power of SXU’s women artists.
Rodriguez emphasized the long-term impact of exhibitions like this, both for emerging artists and the broader community.
“It is important for communities like Saint Xavier University’s Art Department and the Beverly Arts Center to continue to host events such as this,” she said. “It inspires younger artists to continue creating and helps them learn all that comes with being a part of an art exhibition. It connects people from other communities and promotes a welcoming environment for expression for all. And for that, I will always be grateful to be a part of it.”
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