PRESS INVITED TO SPECIAL MEDIA DAY
Tuesday, September 22 | 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Rogue Gallery & Art Center | 40 S. Bartlett Street | Medford, Oregon
MEDFORD, Ore. — Members of the press are invited to a special WomanKind Biennial
Contemporary Art Exhibition & Activation Media Day on Tuesday, September 22, from 10:30
a.m. to noon at Rogue Gallery & Art Center.
The 2026 WomanKind Biennial, on view September 18 through October 30, brings together 25
local women artists, nonprofit organizations, women-owned and local businesses, and
Jackson County Library Services for a community-based contemporary art project connecting
visual art with women’s causes, cultural exchange and direct community action.
Exclusive to the press Media Day will feature a panel of participating artists and collaborators
speaking directly with the press in the Main Gallery about the opportunities and challenges of being a female artist, women’s entrepreneurship, women’s causes, period poverty, and the role art can play in strengthening community. Panelists will answer questions, with opportunities for interviews, photography and video.
ART INTO ACTION
A central activation of WomanKind 2026 addresses period poverty and access to menstrual
products. The project has already raised approximately $4,000 toward period products, with
additional donations collected throughout the exhibition.
The public is encouraged to bring period products for the domestic violence shelter and
nonperishable food for the ACCESS food drive. Period-product donations will become part of
an evolving sculptural installation during the exhibition and will ultimately be donated to the
shelter through Women Entrepreneurs of Southern Oregon (WESO).
Jackson County Library Services librarian Jody Flemming is contributing an installation
addressing period poverty and will give a public presentation on the subject October 17.
WomanKind collaborators include ACCESS, Talent Period Dignity Project, AAUW —
American Association of University Women, Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library, Women
Entrepreneurs of Southern Oregon (WESO), Jackson County Library Services, and six
Southern Oregon businesses. Several participating businesses are women-owned, while
Blackwell Frames and Tlalli participate both as businesses and artist contributors.
The release of this Media Day announcement comes later than originally planned for a positive reason: the extraordinary community enthusiasm surrounding WomanKind has caused the project to continue expanding as artists, organizations and businesses have joined the collaboration.
First created as a successful community-based art project in 2024, WomanKind returns in
2026 as a biennial, expanding its mission to support local female artists, elevate women’s
causes, create cultural exchange, and turn contemporary art into tangible community action.
MEDIA DAY: SEPTEMBER 22
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Rogue Gallery & Art Center
40 S. Bartlett Street, Medford, Oregon
Media Day will include a panel of participating artists and collaborators speaking directly with members of the press about:
● The realities and rewards of being a female artist in Southern Oregon
● Opportunities and barriers facing women in the visual arts
● Women’s entrepreneurship and women-owned businesses
● Period poverty and women’s basic needs
● The role of nonprofit organizations serving women and families
● Art as a vehicle for cultural exchange and community action
● Why locally produced contemporary art matters to Southern Oregon
Panelists will also answer questions from members of the media.
Press representatives are encouraged to attend, photograph and film the exhibition, interview participating artists and collaborators, and learn about the community stories behind WomanKind.
PUBLIC EVENTS
WomanKind Biennial Exhibition & Activation
September 18–October 30
Artist Reception
September 18
Artist & Sponsor Panel Discussion
September 26 | 1–3 p.m.
Period Poverty Presentation with JCLS Librarian Jody Flemming
October 17 | 1–3 p.m.
Rogue Gallery & Art Center
40 S. Bartlett Street, Medford, Oregon
Phoenix Helio Press Contact : Beca Blake
BecaBlake@PhoenixHelio.com 808.214.8884