The Beauty Shop collective, a group of five female artists based in the Puget Sound region, has launched a new group exhibition titled "The Party Mix" at Gallery 110 in Seattle's Pioneer Square. Featuring works by Arni Adler, Lynette Charters, Saundra Fleming, Kate Harkins, and Ingrid Sojit, the show presents a diverse array of media unified by a "psychedelic" sense of play, intuitive creative processes, and a focus on the female figure. The exhibition, which runs through March 28, was born out of a collaborative support network that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This exhibition matters as it highlights the importance of artist-run collectives and "third spaces" for women to create outside of the male gaze. By drawing inspiration from Mickalene Thomas and addressing themes like the erasure of women from history and the effects of aging, the collective demonstrates how local artist communities can foster professional growth and critical dialogue. The show also underscores the vitality of Seattle's nonprofit art scene and the role of collaborative curation in presenting complex, whimsical, and politically resonant visual narratives.