The Shenandoah Valley Art Center, during the month of April, in the Cabell/Arehart Invitational Gallery, is exhibiting Paige Speight’s work which focuses on intimate portraits of men and women, condensing life-long emotional struggles into single frames. The pieces edge at the emotional intimacy so few men are comfortable expressing, and present it large and bright; wrapped in thick color. These men feel close, private, and a bit surreal. The portraits invite empathy, and take joy in the display of vulnerability. In contrast, the few female figures in the collection are emotionally distant. They wear vulnerability unflinchingly and defiantly. While the male-presenting figures are celebrated for their often hidden intimacy, the female-presenting figures are featured for the inverse, for strength and stoicism in the face of vulnerability. Speight’s pieces take great joy in flipping the common narrative about masculinity, femininity, and the sources of vulnerability and strength. While society consistently determines that toughness is strength, and emotionality weakness. Speight is drawn to examples of the opposite. Speight’s work acclaims the union of strength with vulnerability, without the condemnation of emotionality. Opening reception will be April 2, 5:00-7:00 p.m. The exhibit is open to the public April 1 - 30, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday. Covid-19 precautions are in place. Please check Opening Reception details at www.svacart.com.