Pictured: Elyse Weeks and Maya Mckenzie in front of "Brown Breast Project"
August 2nd 2023
Urban Perinatal Education Center x Brown Breast Project
It’s World Breastfeeding Week! And although it's been a minute since I’ve delved into working as a lactation counselor, it’s still near and dear to my heart to connect with parents and their children. Tomorrow, I’ll be snapping some cute complimentary photos in front of my backdrop.
This project was named the Brown Breast Project to raise awareness about the disproportion between Black and brown folks around maternal health, especially lactation. I’m so glad that places like the Urban Perinatal Education Center exist to support parents amongst many others helping improve the way we nourish our children.
These crocheted models double as a creative art pieces and are also tools for demonstration for parents to learn about feeding.
"VII: The Chariot" Acrylic paint on canvas, Tarot Project, April 2022
A breath of fresh air in a time of craziness, Ryan Dean‘s recent tarot community project, “MURMURATIONS,” is a collection of 80+ artists. Being a member of as220 Industries was one of my fav things to look forward to pre-pandemic.
Here’s my description of the card I pulled on the New Moon!
VII: The Chariot
An Asian womxn rides on an abstract Chariot, with two tabby cats on each side, one white, the other black. Above her is a large dogwood flower, which symbolizes purity and strength to overcome past mourning. She seems content with being still, however, she needs to make the decision to move forward. But how can she with the lack of reign? With self-control, attunement, and assertion, she will be able to access her higher power. (This is why she has one hand placed towards the white tabby.) This is no easy feat, as she holds an emotional barrier, which can feel overbearing. She lacks the strength of will. (Hence, one foot towards the black tabby.)
‘Fragility’ Part 2 Remastered 2022 (KN95 mask, acrylic, ink, metal frame, copper)
I participated in Flora and Fauna, a group show of as220 residents and members organized by Ryan Dean and Madison Emond, and entered ‘Fragility’ as it represents the Fauna part of the group show.
The updated version represents the future showing growth, expansion, and further protection. Although the flowers are seemingly fragile, it stays preserved in a caged metal frame.
"7th Annual Big Latch On" Flyer
Celebrate World Breastfeeding/chestfeeding Week with us at our 7th Annual Big Latch On!
Date: August 7th, 2021
Location: Facebook Live and Roger Williams Park (At the entrance of Broad st.- called Hawthorne and Miller)
Our objective is to gather as many nursing persons (pumping included) as we can and do 'the big latch on' at 10:30 am, hopefully breaking our record last year. Those who are attending are asked to register beforehand and arrive at the meeting at least 15 mins before the countdown. Attendees will have the chance to participate in raffles generously donated by our vendors. Come join a family-friendly event and connect with community partners in your neighborhood. You do not have to be a nursing person to attend. Those who are in support of this are welcome!
“Nightmare at Prospect Terrace Park”
11 x 17 Digital Print
November 18, 2021 Sprout Coworking Space
166 Valley St Building 6M Suite 103, Providence, RI
In 2012, North Main Street was a well-traveled road for me and my siblings. This is where I was led to visit a hospice, where my mother was spending her time with late-stage breast cancer. The statue of Roger Williams (who believed in religious freedom) appeared in my sibling’s nightmare well before the placement of my mother in hospice. The statue overlooks Providence and can be found at Prospect Terrace Park. While traveling near the statue, it brought a sense of someone watching over us. The monk and statue symbolize my mother’s practice in Buddhism and Christianity throughout her life.
Participating artists: Nadine Almada, Jacque Bidon, Ryan Dean, Madison Emond, Michael Ezzell, Tatiana Gómez Gaggero, Lara Henderson, Alex Hornstein, Sara Inacio, Ladyfingers Letterpress, Andre Lee Bassuet, Hannah Liongoren, Jose Menendez, Salina Ting, Kevin Veronneau and Jeffrey Yoo Warren
“Fine China” MDF, Acrylic, paint markers October 2021
-Exhibition coordinated by Hannah Liongoren
-All chairs are cut by Larry Zagorsky at As220 Industries.
Participating artists: Hannah Liongoren, Jeffrey Yoo Warren, Salina Ting, Ryan Dean, Lara Henderson, Shannon Kennelly, Nadine Almada, Keri King, Neal Walsh, Leigh Waldron-Taylor, Madison Emond, Sara Inacio, and Amanda Soule
If you happen to be in downtown, stop by As220 Industries to view this exhibition! You can also see it through the windows walking by.
I named this “Fine China” as it represents the kind of style I grew up seeing. Whether it's slurping soup from a blue and white soup spoon or an ornate vase, Chinese porcelain will always hold dear to me.
As far as the chair cutout, it’s the most used chair I sat on since the announcement of the pandemic, which was also my chair when I worked as a lactation counselor for WIC.
"Brown Breast Project" August 2020
“BB Project” stands for Brown Breast Project which celebrates Black and Brown individuals and the importance of highlighting folks in parenthood and beyond. The last week of August is Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week, and I wanted to tie in what is dear to me.
Thank you Kye Light Leigh for spending the time to help hand sew these babies for my wall. I created this wall to signify the overuse/ abuse of brown breasts in American history and how nursing individuals were forced against their will to feed babies that weren’t their own.
I will be donating 10% of the proceeds for this project to: Mount Hope Community Center. If you’ve met me, you’d know why the center is significant to me. I want there to be a continuous flow of resources for this community and hope I can help them as much as I can. I’m teaming up with Michaela Lynn Photo, the person behind the lens for birth photography.
To purchase or inquiries please contact us!
Michaela’s email:
michaelalynnphoto@gmail.com
My email:
bloomingdyad@gmail.com
“Fragility” Part 1 2020
Time feels limitless right now. Spring is my favorite season by far, and lately, all I’ve been wanting to do is immerse myself in nature.
Right now, it feels like I’m back to full-on a maternal role. I don’t have any qualms with this innate version of myself but somewhere along my journey, I’ve been stressing the importance to evolve out of my comfort zone. I’m using what is very familiar to me to hopefully emulate the part of me which seeks connection.
This mask signifies the fragility of one’s mental health during this time. Like flowers, we have soft structures. Some flowers are more fragile than others, some are more resilient than others. I also think embracing a delicate time like this is a building block for future strength.