February 9, 2024 • Pretty Funny: Women Comedians and Body Politics

National League of American Pen Women Central Ohio Branch

Guest Speaker Linda Mizejewski is a Distinguished Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University. Linda has been a Fulbright Lecturer in Slovakia and Romania, and her research has been supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies. In 2004 she was a winner of Ohio State University’s Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award.

Women’s comedy has long been a prime spot for women to talk back and break taboos in mainstream popular culture. But women in comedy have traditionally been pegged as either “pretty” or “funny.” This talk is an overview of women’s comedy beginning with Mae West and ending with the new generation of women comedians such as Tina Fey, Wanda Sykes, and Ellen DeGeneres who flout the pretty-versus-funny dynamic, targeting glamour and in some cases making it clear that in popular culture, “pretty” almost always means “white.”

When:

  • Friday, February 9, 2024 • 1:00-3:00p

Where:

  • Hilliard Branch – Columbus Metropolitan Library
    4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, OH 43026

March 18, 2024 • Columbus Koto Ensemble

National League of American Pen Women Central Ohio Branch

Since 2014, The Columbus Koto Ensemble has brought a taste of Japan to audiences through the koto, the national instrument of Japan. The koto is similar to a Western harp or dulcimer. Their aim is to show the diversity and versatility of the koto. Their repertoire includes a wide range of music from traditional works, mesmerizing modern compositions, and innovative cover songs of rock, pop, and anime favorites. In 2023 The Columbus Koto Ensemble became a non-profit organization.

The Columbus Koto Ensemble is Jessica Entis, Lori Fannin and Lisa Hirai Reaves. These women have been trained in music schools in Japan as well as the United States and have the expertise to educate. The Columbus Koto Ensemble has performed throughout Central Ohio and are 2-time recipients for the GCAC grants.

When:

  • Monday, March 18, 2024 • 6:00–7:30p

Where:

  • Upper Arlington Library
    2800 Tremont Rd., Columbus, 43221

April 12, 2024 • Reception “Creative Viewpoints” Member Exhibition at the Biennial

National League of American Pen Women Central Ohio Branch

Creative Viewpoints is an exhibit showcasing work by members from the Central Ohio Branch of the National League of American Pen Women during the NLAPW 51st Biennial Conference. It features works of the NLAPW disciplines of Art, Letters (writers), and Music. The exhibit is in the the Cultural Arts Center’s Loft Area.

Please join us at the opening reception of Creative Viewpoints. It’s free and open to the public. View recent work by NLAPW Central Ohio Branch members in all three disciplines of art, letters (writers), and music.

When:

  • Reception — Friday, April 12, 2024, 6pm-8pm
  • Exhibition — April 12 – May 18, 2024

Where:

May 7, 2024 • Jennifer Evans Kinsley – Member Spotlight

National League of American Pen Women Central Ohio Branch

Jennifer Evans Kinsley is a maker of books and music. An active book artist, she exhibits her works locally and nationally. Her work is included in Lark Publication’s 500 HANDMADE BOOKS.

She performs and instructs others on the Hammered and Appalachian Dulcimer. An avid contra dancer Jennifer performs with the contra dance band Firefly Trace. A Certified Practitioner of Therapeutic Music she provides Complementary Medicine methodology to bring healing tones to the ill, recovering, and hospice individuals.

“As a child I was surrounded by domestic craftswomen. The homes of my grandmothers, great aunts, and mother were filled with drawings, writings, quilts and afghans, sewn creations embellished with thread and buttons, and reliquaries containing ephemera and personal treasures. It was directly from them that I first learned to draw, paint, sew, crochet, quilt, embroider, knit, assemble.

As an adult I continued to practice domestic arts. My interests expanded to weaving, painting, ceramics, sculpture, papermaking, and surface decoration techniques such as marbling and paste-painting. I eventually discovered that the book is the perfect vessel to hold and order words and images. … ”

When:

  • Tuesday, May 7, 2024 • 11:15a-1:00p

Where:

  • Old Worthington Library
    820 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085

June 4, 2024 • Annual Luncheon and Show & Tell

National League of American Pen Women Central Ohio Branch

The Central Ohio Pen Women will have our annual Spring Luncheon followed by a Show & Tell to share work or tell us about upcoming projects and events.

When:

  • Tuesday, June 4, 2024 • 11:30a–2:30p

Where:

  • Rocky Fork Country Club
    5189 Clark State Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230