Bathers Library Newsletter #2

LIVES OF CREATIVE WOMEN with Olivia White Lopez
Starts 11/17/24 (biweekly)
This reading group will be the first in an ongoing series focusing on books about the lives of creative women. This session’s text (along with some optional additional readings) will be All Fours by Miranda July. 

THE “C” WORD with Rena Tom
Starts 11/21/24 (biweekly, 8 sessions)
Craft has played (and continues to play) a huge role in shaping cultural, social, and economic development around the world … so why is “craft” a pejorative? Let’s reclaim this particular C word together as we explore the power of the craft imaginary. We’ll read texts that examine why craft has been historically feminized, marginalized, and devalued, then consider how craft is not just about creating tangible objects — it’s about creating the future you want. Along the way, we’ll discuss the state of craftivism, where handmade fits into the digital era, and how craft creates visibility for disadvantaged communities.

WHAT ARE MEETINGS? with Danny Spitzberg
Starts 11/26/24 (weekly, 4 sessions)
Freedom is an Endless Meeting by Francesca Poletta argues that meetings are the fundamental unit of democracy, and the book cover gestures at that ideal. Meanwhile, ancient television enjoyers remember Alec Baldwin as a cliche corporate executive on 30 Rock quoting from Meetings Magazine. What do we want from meetings? What do they want from us? Suggested readings and light snacks provided.

FEMINIST WRITERS OF THE WORLD with Nisha Sudarsanam
Starts 1/9/25 (biweekly)
In this class, we'll read excerpts of feminists across the world. We'll explore what makes them different, similar or simply incomparable. The hope at the end of the class is that perspectives of feminism expands beyond traditional western literature. Readings might include Vandana Singh, Rosario Castellanos and Clarice Lispector among others.

BIMBOS & THE SPECTACLE with Holiday Black
Starts 1/12/25 (biweekly)
Let’s examine the ways that reality TV reflects issues of class, identity, politics, and specifically gender. We’ll use popular reality TV franchises such as The Simple Life and Real Housewives as a framework to prod the labor of being watched. We’ll think about our cultural fascination with the “real,” when it comes to these high maintenance women of the silver screen.

ART MONSTERS: ON ART-MAKING & PARENTING with Margaret McCarthy
Starts 1/18/25 (monthly)
How do art-making and parenthood inspire, challenge, and oppose each other? For decades, parenthood, especially the role of the mother and/or primary caretaker, has been popularly understood as antithetical to art-making. We call bullsh*t. Let’s read extracts from some of the very recent and exciting books exploring the work and lives of artist parents current and historical, the obstacles they/we face, and how these dual, vital, roles illuminate each other.