Margaret Malsom spent her Saturday afternoon making vagina art.
Using paint brushes and crayons, she joined other students at the MSU Union to create works that symbolized female sexuality. It was Malsom’s first experience with the genre and she said she enjoyed it.
“I had no idea what it would be like,” said Malsom, a no-preference freshman. “It is kind of interesting to be a part of it. It has been really cool. I’ve only been here for a half hour but there is a lot of positive energy. ”
The event served as a precursor to Vagina Week, a week filled with vagina-inspired activities leading up to the Women’s Council production of the “Vagina Monologues” on Sunday.
The art will be on display Wednesday at the Blue Note Coffee Cafe, 623 E. Grand River Ave.
“A lot of people are embarrassed about their sexuality,” Malsom said. “This is a good way to get it recognized that it isn’t something to be embarrassed about. This is an important part of life and who you are.”
Students created pieces which showed the vagina as a heart while others completed complex drawings of the entire reproductive system.
“It is a lot of fun creating art,” zoology freshman Erika Hussar said. “You realize there is a lot of support out there for women, and you can help be a part of that.
“I think it is a very positive thing for everyone and the community for women.”
Most of the students at the workshop weren’t artists or art majors. They said art is a hobby, and they wanted to celebrate the beauty of the female body.
The organizers said the art workshop was a success.
“It ended up being a really good idea for creating more art, but also to spread some educational stuff,” said Juanita Smith, an event organizer and women’s studies senior.
“We are making up a pamphlet having to do with the anatomy of women which we will hand out at the art fair.”
Smith said the organizers were pleased with the turnout, with more than a dozen people showing up to make art.
“I was sort of worried no one would come, but thank God I was proven wrong,” Smith said. “I think it is important to address the lack of comfort with your body. A lot of people are sort of embarrassed and ashamed of being a woman. I think that is sad and we should help correct that.”
Organizer Jennifer Dunn, a women’s studies sophomore, said the workshop fits into the week’s activities.
“The entire Vagina Monologues-related events and the show do a lot of good,” she said. “I think it is important to raise awareness about women’s bodies and sexuality. A lot of time in school our sex education is very incomplete and a lot of people really don’t know a whole lot about their sexual anatomy and their sexuality.
“We just wanted to put a positive spin on female sexuality.”
