Category: Conferences & Symposia

ASWM Conferences, held biennially in even-numbered years, and symposia, held on occasion in odd-numbered years

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Report on 2009 Symposium–by Storyteller Nancy Vedder-Shults

Nancy Vedder-Shults takes notes at the ASWM Symposium

I want to thank the newly-formed ASWM (Association for the Study of Women and Mythology) for the wonderful conference they put on last Thursday.

When I walked into the space, I knew I was in the right place, because of the beautiful goddess banners made by Lydia Ruyle that hung around the room.  It felt like a homecoming!  They included Tara, Isis, and Mnemosyne, the Mother of the Muses who as Lydia says “is RE-membering Herstory.”

And when we took our first break, we left the space through a fabric Sheila-na-gig made by Lee Melchior and Susan Swope, that they had hung in the doorway after we arrived.  How wonderful to be birthed and rebirthed through this “vulva” again and again throughout the day!!

About the 2009 Symposium itself:  It was fantastic!  Sid Reger was the M.C., and she started out by introducing Barbara Marx Hubbard’s term “vocational arousal” for passionate work, which was demonstrated by presenters throughout  the day.  Every one of them was enthusiastic about what she shared.   Continue reading “Report on 2009 Symposium–by Storyteller Nancy Vedder-Shults”

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“New” Goddess Figure Puts in Appearance at Symposium

When ASWM members met in Madison, WI, on the morning of May 14, we could feel  excitement buzzing in the room even before the presentations started.  Several women had just heard about the discovery of a Paleolithic goddess figure in Germany, and they were sharing her image on their phones and computers!

The Paleolithic Hohle Fels Figure

The story and image of the Hohle Fels figure hit the media just as we were meeting.  Carbon dating suggests that this ivory goddess was made at least 35,000 years ago, making her one of the oldest sculpted representations of the human figure.

Among sensationalized and sexist accounts in the media, here is one well-written article from the Science Daily web site:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090514084126.htm

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2009 Symposium Sets the Hive Humming

Report by Sid Reger, ASWM President

With the theme “Self and Goddess: Personal, Political, Spiritual,” ASWM’s second annual Symposium gathered more than 50 women from the Midwest, both coasts, and Canada.  It was an exciting day of presentations and networking among women working to develop arts and scholarship concerning mythic women and goddesses.

Our keynote speaker was Egyptologist Normandi Ellis, author of Dreams of Isis, Feasts of Light, and other works that examine the significance of ancient goddess mythology to contemporary seekers.

To see a complete report of presentations, with photos of the event, check out the blog post by storyteller/songwriter Nancy Vedder-Shults.

As the informal “MC” for the day, I had the privilege of watching and listening to a wide variety of presenters, and of watching as connections were made that would outlast the day.

We met under Lydia Ruyle’s beautiful Goddess Banners

Thanks are due to all presenters and board members.  I especially want to acknowledge the staff of the Goodman Atwood Community Center for all of their help—it’s a beautiful facility.  And my heartfelt thanks to the women who helped with logistics, registration, and technical assistance:  Nan Brooks, Daña Alder, Lia Treffman, and Sara Blackthorne.

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2008 Artists’ panel “Holy Wind: Making Art/Artist/Goddess”

A panel of three diverse artists was featured at the 2008 ASWM Symposium. Helen Klebesadel and Rae-Atira Soncea from WI and Sid Reger from PA presented work and discussed how goddess myth and women’s life cycles inform their art.

Crone, Mother, Maiden, a 40x30 watercolor by Helen Klebesadel.

Crone, Mother, Maiden, a 40×30 watercolor by Helen Klebesadel. Smaller giclee prints of the painting, and Helen’s other work, can be found here:www.niceharpy.etsy.com

Helen Klebesadel “Wholeness in art and life.” Art is a place where I rethink everything.   I use my art to understand the world and to recreate myself.  When I first went to art school at 18,  I was taught by and about men–taught by no women, and about no women, nor artists of color.

Continue reading “2008 Artists’ panel “Holy Wind: Making Art/Artist/Goddess””

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2009 Goddess Scholars Symposium

With the theme “Self and Goddess: Personal, Political, Spiritual,” ASWM’s second symposium took place on May 14, 2009, at the Goodman Community Center in Madison, Wisconsin .

Keynote speaker was Egyptologist Normandi Ellis, author of Dreams of Isis, Feasts of Light, and other works that examine the significance of ancient goddess mythology to contemporary seekers. She discussed her work with the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the significance of spiritual autobiography for contemporary women.

The agenda for the day’s speakers follows.

Continue reading “2009 Goddess Scholars Symposium”