This is a filmed piece with a public installation. The film itself is a series of shots depicting a woman entering a bathroom and bringing a razor to her thighs. Before it touches flesh, the scene cuts to a shot of an apple carved into the figure of an overweight woman. Rolls and lines can be seen, and it sits atop the toilet. The scene then reverts back to the woman with a razor, but when it cuts again, it shows an apple carved into the shape of a slender woman associated with the ideal feminine standard. The final shot is a printer sitting on the tank of the toilet and printing copies of the apple carved into ideal feminine form. Copies can be seen falling directly into the toilet. Above this all is an unobtrusive jazz soundtrack.

The installed piece is ideally placed in a public restroom. However, it can also be installed in a constructed toilet stall complete with a toilet. A printer sits on the tank of the toilet printing the copies, and the screen is placed within the toilet, inviting viewers to stoop or kneel before the toilet to view the film. This places them in a position of vulnerability that so many women find themselves in, whether from eating disorders or self-harm.

"This piece in particular speaks to the unattainable standards placed on women and their devastating effects. It is beyond important to call public attention to this, especially in a world where the effects are considered shameful. Women are forced to hide themselves for the comfort of others. This installed piece is designed to make the audience uncomfortable, to place them in a position of vulnerability. It is hoped that this will generate raw emotion that contrasts with the gentle atmosphere of the film." - Sophia Marsh

The Origins of Us is an exhibit that explores the origins and culture of Black Oklahomans and our role in American history. From the post-slavery migration that created over 50 historically black towns, to the displays of resistance against Jim Crow that influenced a national civil rights movement, Black Oklahomans have had a unique yet under-appreciated impact on our history. Lattimore's goal is to combine these skills to create works of Black American Realist art that will connect the past and the present, reflecting on the risks, dreams, and sacrifices that have brought us to where we are today. This exhibit will highlight significant figures, activities, and events that will allow the viewer to capture a glimpse of a particular lifestyle and culture.

"This idea came from a separate project I am working on as project manager for OKC’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs. The project involves the collection of oral histories that highlight several predominantly black communities throughout Oklahoma City. This project uncovered history such as Black settlements in Oklahoma City as early as 1884, the cultural awakening of Deep Deuce during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, and even the Sit-Ins that helped influence a national movement. These histories are the kind of stories that will influence the works of art I will create for this exhibit, connecting art, history, and culture." - Leondre Lattimore

Literati Press is establishing a creative writing center in its expanded space within the Paseo Arts District to better support the metro’s storytelling community. The center will be open to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, songwriting, comics, dramaturgy, screenwriting, and other disciplines related to the narrative arts.

Founded in 2010 as a scrappy boutique publishing company to herald innovative storytelling throughout the state, Literati steadily expanded through the years, opening a brick-and-mortar bookshop in 2016. Today, Literati Press is a creators-led literary community located in the historic Paseo Arts District in Oklahoma City advocating for stories we love through bookselling, publishing and other advocacy efforts.

The creative writing center is the next logical step in our efforts to help build more infrastructure support for the literary arts. In addition to hosting workshops and events, they will also be establishing a writer's cooperative that will allow practicing, professional writers a place to network, collaborate, and support their fellow writers.

Nurturing the creative community has been an integral part of our mission from the very beginning when we started with a series of book fairs around Oklahoma. As we’ve traveled through the country, we’ve seen literary hives where some of the most innovative voices within their community find peers and support in physical spaces in ways not possible online. We believe hosting our creative writing center within our bookshop will make the program sustainable and more approachable. Keeping our mission focused within the Paseo Arts District also ensures the narrative arts are represented along with the other diverse disciplines flourishing within the neighborhood." - Literati Press

Shattering the silence, the Baggage Movement captivates viewers by holding artwork and initiating discussions for prevention and healing from childhood trauma. Trauma is often carried throughout life as "baggage" but Allen wants to create art that redefines those broken pieces and pulls that taboo discussion out from under the rug. Abstract expressionism has been used to call attention to the hushed topic of broken boundaries and paves the way for us to visually and figuratively see how we can still find beauty in the spilled paint on the canvas of our lives. This artwork shatters silence and allows a space for these important conversations to take place. It is made possible simply by carrying a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted piece of leather, and letting art do what it does best, evoke emotion, spark conversation and create change.

"This is important. How we view our story is important. Creating art that teaches us how to readjust our lense and reclaim our past and rewrite our tomorrow is important. 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys in Oklahoma have their boundaries crossed before the age of 18 and 90% of the time it is crossed by someone they love and trust. Over 37 million people in the US are living with the past shame of body boundary violations from childhood. Why? Because of the nature of this king of shame, it is left in the dark. But I want my art to shine a light into that darkness and call those living in that victim mindset out, into the light." - Whitney Allen