Community Projects 2026-27
Projects initiated and directed by Marilyn J. Narey for un/common lines.
HerStory Healing Maps: Spirit Garment Project
a multisensory, sustainably sourced, multidisciplinary arts installation created by artist Marilyn J. Narey with the contributions of
accomplished women poets from Greater Pittsburgh writing community.
Project Artist/Director
Marilyn J. Narey
Project Advisory Committee
- Doralee Brooks
- Alexandra Chakos
- Bonita Lee Penn
- Vaishali Paliwal
Project Poets/Writers
- Shiela Carter-Jones
- Alexandra Chakos
- Veronica Corpuz
- Karen Howard
- Mary Meyer
- Teresa Narey
- Vaishali Paliwal
- Bonita Lee Penn
- Judy Press
- Sam Smith
- Laurel Szymkowiak
- Pennie Walters
- Sarah Williams-Devereux
“Calling Back Quilt” Papermaking & Poetry Project
An extension of Narey’s HerStory Healing Maps series and the Spirit Garment Project, the “Calling Back Quilt” Papermaking and Poetry Project is 3-session workshop that will engage women across Allegheny County in creating handmade paper and writing poetry. Each Workshop Group will create a Paper Quilt made up of each group member’s individual quilt square. Quilts will be exhibited at local venues and/or HerStory exhibitions.
Limited funding is available to support several workshops free of charge. However, any group within the greater Pittsburgh area may sponsor a workshop for their organization. A portion of the sponsor fee will benefit local women in need.
Project Artist/Director
Marilyn J. Narey
Project Advisory Committee
@Narey Studio 117 Quarterly Arts-Poetry Readings Project
The @Narey Studio 117 Quarterly Arts-Poetry Readings is designed to bring together and grow two thriving arts communities in the Pittsburgh area: Visual Arts and Poetry. As an initiative of @ Narey Studio 117, Radiant Hall, beginning in Fall/2026, area poets will be invited to digitally view and respond to several Radiant Hall artists’ works with an ekphrastic poem. Poems will be selected by the Project Advisory Committee and a poetry reading of the selected poems will be held at Radiant Hall with the visual artists and poets in panel discussion. The readings will be open to the public and encourage dialogue between the visual art and poetry community.
* An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a work of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the “action” of a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning. (definition from The Poetry Foundation)
Project Artist/Director
Marilyn J. Narey
Project Advisory Committee