The Art of the Unseen
From April—May 2024, the CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival will feature its first-ever art exhibition
Story by Amanda Bahena
“At Dusk” by Amy Armitage
Located among endless rows of pine trees, the CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival is not just an organization showing films: it's a challenge to the status quo, a place where the traditional roles are reversed and men's work takes a backseat as the stories of women are elevated and directly prioritized
The underrepresentation of women in the film industry was CASCADIA’s source of motivation to confront and change that notion. Since 2017, CASCADIA has showcased films by over 220 women directors from all around the world. Another notable achievement is their commitment to diversity, with half of the films shown at the 2023 festival made by women of color. Later that year, they also sponsored the film "Black Barbie," directed by Lagueria Davis. The festival lineup includes films by students, emerging directors and Indigenous women, emphasizing inclusivity and representation.
The film festival’s success has allowed Cheryl Crooks, the executive director of CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival, to come back to an idea that was previously held off on: an art exhibit to go alongside the film festival.
"It was a rough start. We were getting our footing in a place where we could hold our own," Crooks said. "Some ideas had to be scratched, but we never stopped growing the organization."
After years of showcasing films, they have decided to expand their platform. The new art exhibition aims to showcase the intricacies of women's voices and styles, serving as a turning point of CASCADIA's mission to provide a platform for women to tell their stories through the medium of film and visual art.
The exhibition, titled "Women Rising: Expanding Visions/Diverse Perspectives," will coincide with the film festival, adding a gallery component to the festival. It will be on display at the Dakota Art Store gallery in Bellingham, Wash. from April 5 until May 25.
CASCADIA’s expansion into gallery exhibitions marks a new chapter for the festival as this expansion provides a new platform for diverse artistic voices. Barbara Matilsky, a respected curator and art historian, will be curating this particular exhibition, selecting artworks that showcase women's voices and perspectives.
The exhibition's inclusion of regional artists cultivates a sense of community and collaboration. It sets CASCADIA apart as a film festival that doubles as an active cultural platform for mixed forms of artistic expression. CASCADIA's impact resonates throughout the year, as the film group often teams up with both Western Washington University and the Pickford Film Center.
Barbara Bitner, board member and secretary for CASCADIA, emphasized the importance of collaborating with the Bellingham community and advocating for women-led productions.
“We have a ton of really cool artists up here, and women artists, so let's highlight them,” Bitner said. “Women's voices are what's needed right now.”
Though the organization just started in 2017, CASCADIA has already been able to reach directors and panelists from Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Seattle, Canada, Macedonia, Italy, Iran, Slovenia, Australia and Hong Kong.
As the organization expands its presence, reaching beyond films and showcasing other art forms, women’s voices are getting the chance to be highlighted in a spectrum of diverse creative expressions. Establishing connections with the local community and providing a platform for women's perspectives, the CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival is reaching new audiences as they continue to uplift women’s narratives.
“This Is” by Colleen Hoffenbacker. Along with Armitage’s “At Dusk,” this piece is one of many that will be featured at the exhibition. Don’t miss seeing it all at the Dakota Art Store!