About
Catherine Lent lives for creativity, connection, and the pursuit of equity in her communities. Her work life is a gratifying patchwork of professional henna, teaching, calligraphy, paper marbling, and consulting. She is happiest when spending time with loved ones, trying to be an ever-more-evolved human being, and eating cheese. Her favorite activity is helping other people feel more comfortable in their skin through a combination of warmth and humor, and she is very excited to come back to the Spring Fling conference. She lives with her husband and daughter in an artsy little town on the Delaware River in New Jersey
Course:
Henna Artists Speak: Why We Should Listen
Using first-person accounts of dozens of henna artists currently practicing as professionals and hobbyists, this workshop invites the participants to listen carefully to the lived experiences of their henna artist family and consider where the power lies in contemporary henna… and where it should be. Who do we admire/support/include in our circles, and why? What does it mean to be a community of henna artists? Does race, religion, culture, gender, and class have an impact on a henna business? And what can we each do to deepen our relationship to this ancient art form… and to our fellow makers and lovers of the leaf? In a safe space, we will consider ways in which unconscious biases and unconsidered privileges may protect a status quo that may include and perpetuate inequities. This session aims to be informative, eye-opening, inspiring, and practically useful for the artist who is serious about respecting the received gifts of henna and being a more aware conduit to share those gifts with clients and loved ones.