Everything Women: Honoring Power, Creativity & Legacy
In March 2023, I had the great honor of exhibiting my artwork for solo exhibition “Everything Women” at the Poe Park Visitor Center in the Bronx. This special exhibition, presented during Women’s History Month, celebrated the power, creativity, and influence of women across generations.
A Tribute to Iconic Women
My collection featured portraits of iconic, historic, legendary, and activist women each silhouette capturing their strength, resilience, and spirit. From cultural pioneers to trailblazers who fought for equality, the exhibition was my way of honoring the women whose stories continue to inspire us all.
The turnout was incredible, and I was deeply moved by the positive feedback from guests and fellow artists. Seeing visitors connect emotionally with the portraits reminded me of the importance of representation and storytelling through art.
BronxNet Interview
I was also grateful to be interviewed by BronxNet, where I shared insights about my creative process and what inspires me to continue uplifting women through my silhouette portrait series. Moments like these reaffirm how art can spark meaningful conversations about identity, empowerment, and community.
Gloria Zapata being interviewed by the BronxNet team at the Poe Park Visitor Center during the “Everything Women” solo exhibition. The interview captured her sharing insights about her silhouette portrait series, her inspiration behind honoring iconic women, and her passion for empowering the community through art.
🎥 Media Feature
Silhouette canvases by Gloria Zapata were featured on BronxNet, highlighting her creative process and the powerful message of empowerment, identity, and community behind her art.
🎥 Watch the BRONXNET Interview:
Inspiring the Next Generation
That same year, I also led an art workshop for high school students visiting from Florida, teaching them how to create their own silhouette portraits. Guiding them through the creative process and watching them express their identities through color and form reminded me why I love teaching and sharing art with young people. Their enthusiasm and openness reflected the same spirit celebrated in “Everything Women”: the courage to create, to be seen, and to tell your story.
Gloria Zapata with high school students proudly holding up the creative silhouette portraits they designed during her art workshop. The photo captures a joyful moment of self-expression and learning, showcasing how each student used color and imagination to reflect their identity and creativity.
Reflection
Participating in “Everything Women” was more than an exhibition it was a celebration of connection, community, and the power of women’s voices through art. I left inspired to continue using my work to uplift others, celebrate culture, and inspire the next generation of creators.
🎬 A Short Documentary of Gloria Zapata
A short documentary filmed by videographer Steven Tapia captures Gloria Zapata’s daily mission as an artist from creating a portrait at the start of the day to bringing her vision to life at the 138th Street Community Garden in the Bronx. The film highlights her passion, purpose, and commitment to uplifting the community through art.
🎥 Watch the Documentary:
