Tea & Empathy by Alice Traore

Tea and Empathy by Alice Traore
Exhibition Dates: June 30 – September 5, 2025

Reception: Thursday, July 17, 2025, 5:30-7:30p, also celebrating Unlock Your Pain Jennifer Bastian

at the Sauk Prairie River Arts Center (105-9th Street, Prairie du Sac)

“Tea and Empathy” is about bias, rest, and quiet rebellion. The work represents a yearning for peace and liberation–a response to Nina Simone’s pondering, ‘I wish I knew how it would feel to be free.’ The pieces represent a retreat from the gaze of dominant culture and its harm to marginalized bodies–the way we are taught to treat bodies that do not reflect who we are.”

Artist Bio: Alice Y. Traore is a local, self-taught watercolor artist. Much of her work represents the challenges and triumphs of Black women as she attempts to capture the spirit of liberation, rejuvenation, celebration, and sometimes simply rest. Alice rediscovered art during a period of physical healing. While she consistently produces new work, she most often turns to drawing and painting in times when she is most in need of emotional and mental well-being healing as well.

Learn more about the artist:

@ayjay09