Poetry reading for the Montclair Township Disability Pride Parade

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.

Photo courtesy of Dan D'errico

Photo courtesy of Norman Rosenblum

Photo courtesy of Dan D'errico

Photo courtesy of Dan D'errico

Photo courtesy of Norman Rosenblum

Photo courtesy of Norman Rosenblum

Photo courtesy of Norman Rosenblum

Photo courtesy of Dan D'errico

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.

screenshot from Sweat and Sawdust, video.

Eugene, my unofficial production assistant was in the warehouse during shooting.

screenshot from Sweat and Sawdust, video.

screenshot from Sweat and Sawdust, video.

At the InSeven screening with curator, Kasia Skorynkiewicz at Gardenship Art, Kearny, NJ.

Being interviewed by Joshua Knoblick, Executive Director of 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.

behind-the-scenes photo from I Dream of a Home (that only lives in me) video, 2020

closeup screenshot from I Dream of a Home (that only lives in me) video, 2020

photo during the InSeven screening at Gardenship Art, Kearny, NJ.

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.

3844 N. Sheffield Avenue: Aunt Phylis and Mom, 2019. Acrylic paint, graphite, balsa wood, joint compound, wood glue, and grout on drywall. 

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!

Spitz_173 Parker Farms Road- Birthday Dinner.jpg

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.

360 Cambridge Drive: Mom in the Kitchen. Graphite, charcoal, and ink on paper. 2017.

360 Cambridge Drive: Mom in the Kitchen. Graphite, charcoal, and ink on paper. 2017.

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

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.

My work exhibited from top left to right:  4350 29th Avenue:Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner, 2016. House paint, wood glue, joint compound, stain, graphite, and cuts on drywall. 21.75"x30." 173 Parker Farms Road: In the Kitchen, 2016. House pai…

My work exhibited from top left to right:  

4350 29th Avenue:Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner, 2016. House paint, wood glue, joint compound, stain, graphite, and cuts on drywall. 21.75"x30." 

173 Parker Farms Road: In the Kitchen, 2016. House paint, wood glue, joint compound, graphite, charcoal, and cuts on drywall. 17.5"x24."

Construction and Maintenance, 2016. Two channel video on CRT monitors and workshop stands. 58"x17.5"x18.5."

Artist John Spano displayed his light piece, The Everglow 10/24/24, 2016. notthatjohnspano.comArtist Ruth Borgenicht's interactive floor piece, Eat Where You Walk/Walk Where You Eat, 2016. ruthborgenicht.com

Artist John Spano displayed his light piece, The Everglow 10/24/24, 2016. notthatjohnspano.com

Artist Ruth Borgenicht's interactive floor piece, Eat Where You Walk/Walk Where You Eat, 2016. ruthborgenicht.com

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.