In May, 2024 I read my poem, The Challenges of Having a Body for the Montclair Disability Pride Parade, hosted by Montclair Township and the Disability Caucus of Montclair State University. The fourth annual Disability Parade brought together individuals with disabilities and allies, including local officials. Read more about the parade here.
Challenging Ableism for an Inclusive Future
In May, 2024 I presented Challenging Ableism for an Inclusive Future as part of the Fashion-Able-Ally: A Celebration of Allyship in Livingston, New Jersey. Hosted by the Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities and the Livingston Committee for Diversity & Inclusion for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Challenging Ableism for an Inclusive Future
When my colleague told me about this opportunity she said she didn’t feel like the right person to give this talk. I also don’t feel like the right person to give this talk, because I feel I am not an expert. What I have experienced isn’t extraordinary. Who am I to stand up here in front of all of you and say with authority that you should help us eradicate ableism?
Well, this is a great example of how ableism makes us second guess ourselves, making us believe that if we are not 100% perfect, 100% of the time, then we are not worthy. Not worthy of speaking up, taking up space, validating our own feelings, or being loved and cared for.
If you’ve ever felt this way, would you mind saying, “I hear you”. Thank you, I hear you too.
Let’s not fall into this ableist, misogynistic, racist trap. I am here to remind us all tonight, that we are all worthy. We are all the right people to talk about the things we are passionate about. So here goes:
When I think about ableism it feels both immensely powerful, heavy, ready to suffocate us all in a moment; and yet, it also feels invisible. Even as a person with a disability, when I see ableism, others often do not. This makes me feel invisible. The absolute requirement of masking my mental illnesses is exhausting. It violates everything that feels authentically me, and yet, I continue to mask most days. This makes me feel invisible too. If you’ve ever felt this way before, would you mind saying, “I see you”. Thank you, I see you too…
….
I thought if I could learn about my illnesses I could fix them. Fix me. If I intellectualize the battle it gives me authority to be in their world. But we aren’t going to think ourselves out of ableism. And we can’t act like them. We can't hide and conform and adapt and change for them.
The very wise, Gloria Anzaldua wrote in her 1987 book, Borderlands that quote “Culture forms our beliefs. We perceive the version of reality that it communicates. Dominant paradigms: predefined concepts that exist as unquestionable, unchallengeable, are transmitted to us through culture. Culture is made by those in power–men. Males make the rules and laws; women transmit them… The culture expects women to show greater acceptance of, and commitment to, the value system than men.” unquote I would add to this, by saying that culture expects all those who are marginalized to follow the rules. Including non-christians, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, trans folks and other members of the LGBTQIA+ community and those who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. They must conform or hide their true selves to stay safe in this culture.
Together, perhaps, we can all be brave. Brave enough to break the societal rules imposed upon us that make us disabled. That oppresses us daily. Perhaps we can be brave enough together, to be seen as our true, messy but also magical selves.
Let’s be heard. Let’s share our stories until it no longer requires bravery to exist in this culture. Let’s challenge ableism. Let’s absolutely destroy it with love and radical acceptance.
read the rest of my speech Challenging Ableism for an Inclusive Future here.
Poetry Reading for the 2024 Impact Awards
The Impact Awards honor those who create a more inclusive community at Montclair State University, hosted by the Office for Social Justice & Diversity. This year-end event presents awards to social justice warriors on-campus and in the community, as well as hosts the Lavender and Rites of Passage graduation ceremonies which celebrate graduating students of the LGBTQIA+ community and graduating students of color. Read more about the 2024 Impact Awards here.
During this incredible event, I read my poem For Those We Lost Too Soon to honor students who passed away during the past academic year.
Poetry Reading for Denim Day
Denim Day is recognized internationally as a day of action and awareness in which people are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim blaming and educate others about sexual assault. Read more about Denim Day 2024 here.
This April, I was invited to write and read a poem as a tribute to sexual assault victims and survivors. I read my poem, A Few Moments of Softness to a crowd of students, faculty, and staff at Montclair State University, in collaboration with the Office for Social Justice & Diversity.
InSeven: 2022 Experimental Video Residency
Once again I participated in InSeven the experimental video residency where participants shoot and edit their videos in just seven days. This year, my video Sweat and Sawdust was screened June 11, 2022 at Gardenship Art.
InSeven: Experimental Video Residency
In late summer, 2020 I participated in the inaugural InSeven Experimental Video Residency curated by Kasia Skorynkiewicz in collaboration with Gardenship Art. Each participate shot and edited their videos in seven days and then the videos were screened drive-in theater style.
The Place Called Home: Studio Montclair exhibition
My painting 3844 N. Sheffield Avenue: Aunt Phylis and Mom will be on-display in Studio Montclair’s exhibition The Place Called Home. Opening reception March 6th, 2020 and on view through April 10th.
Visual Thinking Exhibition Opening January 9th
Dear friends, my drawing 173 Parker Farms Road: Birthday Dinner will be on display at the upcoming exhibition titled, Visual Thinking at the Mikhail Zakin Gallery! Join me at the opening reception on Thursday, January 9th 5:30-7:30pm located at 561 Piermont Rd Demarest, NJ.
This drawing was inspired by an old family photograph of my grandparents and father sitting at the dinner table lighting candles for a birthday celebration. You can view more drawings like this on my portfolio page at stephaniespitz.com/drawings and stay tuned for new work to be posted soon!
Art as Practice: Montclair State University Art Faculty
Join me and my colleagues at the group show featuring the artists and professors of Montclair State University's Department of Art and Design. This exhibition will feature 22 faculty artist and designers and will include over 70 pieces of work. I will have three paintings and a drawing on display. Hosted by the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences, the exhibition will run May 5 through May 27th, 2018.
Hear me talk about my work before the opening reception at 4:30pm!
Self Portrait Project 9th Session Opening in Buenos Aires
Last Spring I had the opportunity to work with artist, Alicia Candiani on the 9th Session of the Self Portrait Project featuring students and faculty from Montclair State University. I created two prints as a part of the workshop, which will travel to international exhibitions over the next two years! The very first exhibition will be opening next week in Buenos Aires, where Alicia and my colleague, Cathy Bebout will attend and lecture about the Self Portrait Project. Check out the show information and images below.
Self-Portrait Project Session #9
Montclair State University
Opening July 19th, 2017
Fundacion ´ace, Buenos Aires, Argentina
To Make a Home solo exhibition
Join me on Friday, April 7th 6-9pm at The Creativity Caravan for my solo exhibition, To Make a Home. This show features all new drawings and one recent painting. Facebook event details here.
My series of drawings and paintings utilize amateur home videos and photographs to abstract space and highlight the ongoing nature of renovation, and home making. For this solo exhibition, I focused on two key elements; the physical house and the family that lives within it, you need both to make a home.
Exhibition at Index Art Center Opening Saturday, January 14th
Join me for the opening of a group exhibition at Index Art Center in Newark, NJ featuring recent work by current Montclair State University MFA in Studio Art second year students and the recently graduated class of 2016.
I will have two photographic prints, a drawing, and a painting on display. Come see what I've been up to since graduation!
Opening reception: Saturday, January 14th, 6-9pm. Index Art Center, 237 Washington St, Newark, NJ
Artist Talk at Residency Unlimited
On Tuesday, October 4th, 2016 I had a wonderful time presenting my work at Residency Unlimited in Brooklyn, NY. Along with the four other artists from the Downtown New Rochelle Artist Residency program, I was able to share my project which was developed over the summer. You can find the photo album from this event here.
During this residency I focused on the oldest neighborhood in New Rochelle. Designed in the late 1800's, Rochelle Park has had a very interesting history which reflects the city's evolution over time. I was very lucky to meet with one of Rochelle Park's historical society members, who gave me a detailed walking tour of the neighborhood and it's history. Additionally, the city historian gave me access to original maps, documents, and photographs taken throughout the history of Rochelle Park.
While this project is still ongoing, the residency has concluded. I had the opportunity to meet several community members of Rochelle Park, and New Rochelle. Many of our conversations centered around the idea of home, community, and how the city of New Rochelle was changing.
So far, I've created two drawings from photographs of houses in Rochelle Park. They are accompanied by audio from current and former residents of the neighborhood as they reflect on the building's ability to structure home and community.
Residency Unlimited in conjuction with New Rochelle BID Artist Residency
I'm pleased to announce that I will be an artist in residence for three months in the storefront of the 5 Anderson St. Apartments in New Rochelle. This residency is hosted by Residency Unlimited and the New Rochelle Business Improvement District (BID) and is curated and directed by Dr. Livia Alexander. I will also be interning with Livia to assist in the management of logistics and support the artists in residents. Stay tuned for updates and photos!
For more information visit: http://residencyunlimited.org/partnerships/new-rochelle-business-improvement-district-bid/
Facebook page coming soon!
Gathering Exhibition at Magnan Metz Gallery
The MFA in Studio Arts thesis exhibition, Gathering had a successful opening on Thursday, June 9th! Thank you to everyone who made it out to Magnan Metz to see the show. For those of you who were unable to attend, I've posted some photos of the event.
Gathering: 2016 MFA Studio Arts Exhibition, Montclair State University
Join me and my fellow classmates at the opening reception of our thesis exhibition at Magan Metz Gallery, 521 West 26th St, New York, New York on Thursday June 9th. Gathering will be on exhibit at Magnan Metz June 10th-17th.
The Exhibition is curated by Eleanor Heartney, the MFA program's 2015-2016 visiting critic. "The class of 2016 works with a wide range of media, themes and ideas. The eleven artists come from diverse backgrounds and delve into myriad aspects of contemporary life. I have no doubt that their explorations will continue to take them to surprising places as they move forward into the world beyond the academy," said Heartney of the graduating MFA Studio Art students.
The thesis show featurs the following artists: Ruth Borgenicht, Natalia Borisenko, Joseph Carvajal, Maryann Ficker, Meagan Green, Juana Rodriguez, Belmira Silva, Kasia Skorynkiewicz, John Spano, Stephanie Spitz, and Mina Zarfsaz.