February Events You Won't Want to Miss!

It's February, which means the Big Rapids Festival of the Arts is happening! There are several events this month that will be of interest to AAUW-Big Rapids members, including the February 15 "Much Ado about Barbie" panel discussion that is being sponsored by our branch. Find the complete schedule of FOTA events here.

Some of our members were treated to a tour of the Little River Schoolhouse at School Section Lake Veterans Park in Mecosta over the summer. Diane Blain was our tour guide. The current exhibit at Artworks tells the stories of some of the "Old Settlers" whose children attended that schoolhouse. Be sure to fit in a visit to Artworks this month to learn more.

From the FOTA program booklet:

This exhibit, which runs through the month of February, tells the stories of the Old Settlers.

The Old Settlers were the African American pioneer settlers who arrived in Michigan beginning in 1860 prior to the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery in the U.S. Settlers came to Michigan because of the Homestead Act (1862), allowing each settler 160 acres of land. James Guy was the first Black settler in Mecosta County, and his deed was signed by Abraham Lincoln. He obtained 160 acres in Wheatland Township on May 30, 1861. By 1873, African Americans owned 1,392 acres in the three counties of Isabella, Mecosta, and Montcalm. In the 1860s, most of the land in Remus and Millbrook was owned by the Old Settlers.

The Old Settlers Reunion Website, which evolved from a printed history book from 1988, is an initiative for a more inclusive telling of history, a history in which African American participation is included and valued. The story of the Old Settlers is an important one that many are unaware of and one that some people continue to dispute. This exhibit is an opportunity to take information and artifacts from the Old Settlers Reunion Website and make them tangible and accessible to our community. 

Many members of our branch toured the Museum of Sexist Objects in the fall. If you missed that tour, here's another opportunity to see the museum.

From the FOTA program booklet:

The Ferris Museum of Sexist Objects was created in 2014 to raise awareness and inspire activism in response to everyday items that promote sexism, gendered violence, and female stereotypes.

This session will begin with a short discussion of how dolls, games, toys, and books influence our lives. Is Barbie a model for empowerment and success, or an unhealthy beauty icon? Can she be both? How do the objects of our childhood influence the people we have become today?

Join members of the MoSO team as we examine Barbie’s place in our society and discuss the MoSO’s ongoing storytelling community. Following discussion, participants will be able to browse the museum space and write their own stories about the toys and games that influenced their lives.

Note: Due to the nature of the museum, this session is best suited for 18+.

AAUW-Big Rapids is sponsoring this event, which serves as our program for February. The Gallery exhibit of "Much Ado about Barbie" runs through February 28, so if you miss this event, do try to see the exhibit at another time this month before it's gone.

From the Facebook event for this presentation:

Join us for an opening reception and panel discussion inspired by the 2023 Barbie movie.

The panel discussion, sponsored by AAUW, will feature remarks by Carrie Weis, Dr. Tracy Busch Professor of History, Dr. Melissa Smith Professor of English, Lori Faulkner Professor of Fashion Studies, and Piper Adonya, illustrator and designer for Black Barbie: A Documentary. The presentation aims to recognize and explore the contradictions presented in the 2023 film, Barbie while examining the doll’s impact on fashion, diversity, feminism, and many other timeless themes.

It would be great if we all showed up to see the movie together wearing our new AAUW-Big Rapids shirts!

From the FOTA program booklet:

Come and enjoy a screening of the full-length 2023 feature film Barbie, hosted by the Ferris Fine Art Gallery as part of the Much Ado About Barbie exhibition and events. Beverages and popcorn will be provided.

Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans. Barbie was co-written and directed by awardwinning Greta Gerwig.

“Barbie is a dazzling achievement, both technically and in tone. It’s a visual feast that succeeds as both a gleeful escape and a battle cry. So crammed with impeccable attention to detail is Barbie that you couldn’t possibly catch it all in a single sitting.” — Robert Ebert Review

“Barbie is a visually dazzling comedy whose meta humor is smartly complemented by subversive storytelling.” — Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus

“Clever, funny, and poignant, Barbie is an entertaining movie with a great overall message.” — Audience Says

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