Vallejo artist JeanCherie has unveiled a new exhibition at Mare Island Art Studios titled "Wendy the Welder & The Mare Island Shipyard Workers." The show celebrates the women who built ships at Mare Island Naval Shipyard during World War II, centering on a sculpture inspired by over 11,000 female shipyard workers. The exhibit also features works by seven additional artists, a wall of community testimonials, and contributions from photographer Gary Cullen and photo-illustrative artist Mike Narcisco. JeanCherie, who spent over 30 years sculpting for film and large-scale installations, hopes to eventually cast the clay maquette of "Wendy the Welder" into a 10-foot-tall bronze sculpture.
This exhibition matters because it brings visibility to a historically overlooked workforce—the thousands of women who played a crucial role in the nation's wartime efforts on the West Coast. By combining art with oral history and community participation, the show not only honors the legacy of these women but also strengthens local cultural identity and awareness of Mare Island's heritage. It serves as a model for how small art spaces can engage with regional history and foster public dialogue about gender, labor, and memory.