Brenda McMahon Gallery Gives Voice to the Silenced this Women’s History Month

Gulfport, FL – When the Florida Department of Education released a list of nearly 700 books that were removed or discontinued from public schools during the 2023-2024 school year, multi-award-winning sculptor and activist Shelly Steck-Reale fought back, using art as a vehicle for reflection and conversation. On Friday, March 7th from 6 – 9 PM, Steck-Reale will continue and advance the conversation at a new exhibition of her work opening at Brenda McMahon Gallery and will return for an artist talk at the gallery on March 20th
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The new exhibit, named ‘And Still I Rise’ after the recently banned poem of the same name by Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Maya Angelou, consists of seven sculptures of voices silenced by banned books: women, people of color, LBGBTQ+, the disabled, and immigrants, all sitting on a wood carved stack of banned books. The opening will also feature Tampa-based poet Stephanie Jackson performing a rendition of the title poem, as well as one of her original works.

Steck-Reale views the suppression of books as a threat to free speech, particularly voices from marginalized communities: “Though banning books has always been part of the authoritarian nature of suppression, I see it, and my art reflects it, as a metaphor for the silencing of voices overall,” says Steck-Reale. “We are not only experiencing erasure through book banning; but voices are also being silenced through unjust legislation, outdated systems of exclusion, and Executive Orders.”

Gallerist Brenda McMahon recently welcomed Steck-Reale as a guest on her new Radio St. Pete podcast, Art & Inspiration, and has long been an advocate of using art as a vehicle for positive societal change.

“As artists, we’re fortunate to have a platform and the freedom through our creative work to address important issues,” says McMahon. “Shelly’s show is a wonderful tribute to those whose voices are being muted, including women, and is a fitting celebration for Women’s History Month. It’s inspiring and uplifting while at the same time addressing a very legitimate issue for all of us.”

To follow updates on the events, follow @BrendaMcMahonGallery on Facebook and Instagram, or visit the gallery’s homepage at https://brendamcmahongallery.com/. Brenda McMahon Gallery is located at 2901 Beach Boulevard S in downtown Gulfport.