{"id":1903,"date":"2018-06-29T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T13:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1903"},"modified":"2018-07-19T08:21:36","modified_gmt":"2018-07-19T12:21:36","slug":"fem-works-collective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1903","title":{"rendered":"Fem Works Collective"},"content":{"rendered":"

Creating Space for Community Collaboration\u00a0<\/em><\/h1>\n

Good food sparks good conversation and collaboration. <\/em><\/p>\n

Ryland Heagerty, manager at Pastabilities Restaurant, proved that true when she fostered friendships into Fem Works Collective. According to the collective\u2019s website, \u201cthrough the lens of intersectional feminism, Fem Works Collective supports and cultivates an inclusive setting for artistic collaboration, dialogue, community engagement and social justice within Syracuse.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

This month, the women involved in Fem Works Collective told us about the group\u2019s founding and mission.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ryland Heagerty<\/h4>\n

Founder of Fem Works Collective<\/em>
\nManager at Pastabilities Restaurant<\/em>
\nQuiet painter, poet, object maker, collaborator<\/em><\/p>\n

I have been dreaming of something like Fem Works Collective for a long time. After experiences in the fields of art education, expressive art therapy, nonprofit cultural institutions and the restaurant industry, I began to see my inclinations pointed toward something that looked like an experiment in art education event planning.<\/p>\n

After trying my hand at a micro-workshop series called Dreamland last summer, I saw more clearly what I wanted to do: to offer local skill shares and workshops led by folks in the community and beyond; to make every event free, public and accessible; to bring together a team of smart, politically engaged, community-oriented, empathic feminists; and to develop a mission statement declaring our commitment to intersectionality, equity and belief in the vigor of creative collaboration.<\/p>\n

We will be a safe and serious space that holds dialogues on the subjects of inclusion, intersectional feminism, activism, mental health and creativity. We will also be a collaborative and flexible space to experiment with new mediums and methods of expression. We hope to become a trusted, permanent resource for our community.<\/p>\n

Reina Apraez<\/h4>\n

Artist<\/em>
\nSCSD substitute teacher<\/em>
\nHostess at Otro Cinco<\/em>
\nRadio cohost of The Witching Hour on Spark Syracuse<\/em><\/p>\n

Ryland and I have been arty and party cohorts since we were teens! Last year, she asked me to help her talk through her visions for the Dreamland workshop retreat and offer some practical suggestions. We have a shared passion for community-focused art making and both dream of using our skills towards beautiful and special creations for Syracuse.<\/p>\n

I have great relationships with all of the women on this initial planning team. We all trust and respect one another. While working toward these first projects, it\u2019s been really special to share roles, decision-making and experiments.<\/p>\n

Daily practices to honor and serve myself, my friends, my neighbors and our city are deeply important to me. I say this as a citizen, an artist, a witch and a feminist. I hope Fem Works can offer opportunities to better the lives of anyone who needs support.<\/p>\n

Jen Eldritch<\/h4>\n

Purchaser at Syracuse Cooperative Market<\/em>
\nRadio cohost of The Witching Hour on Spark Syracuse<\/em><\/p>\n

I joined Fem Works Collective because I love the idea of fostering an inclusive and accessible creative community in Syracuse. It\u2019s my hope our workshops can be gathering places for people to be introduced to new ideas and skills and meet community members with whom they can network and collaborate.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always been interested in the democratization of creative work. I believe creative self-expression is a birthright; the development of necessary skills should be available to those who may not be able to access formal training or education. Workshops and skill shares can be a starting place. As we, individuals, integrate creative acts into our everyday lives, our experiences and connections become increasingly beautiful and meaningful, and our community is strengthened and empowered.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m so excited to be working with this talented, progressive group of women, and can\u2019t wait to meet everyone who attends our summer workshop series!<\/p>\n

Celine Rahman<\/h4>\n

Founder of Cup Of Rahman<\/em>
\nWardrobe stylist<\/em><\/p>\n

After forming my business last year, I was fortunate enough to work with a group of women who create products that empower other women in New York City. Being part of this collective made me wonder if I could be part of something similar here in Syracuse. My experience working with women has been incredibly uplifting, and I\u2019m thankful to call the women of Fem Works my sisters. Being a part of this group is an extension of my mission to empower creativity and self-expression.<\/p>\n

With our mission to spread creative awareness and social justice, I believe we can expand what may have been a small, curious community in the CNY area into a self-empowering movement.<\/p>\n

Gabrielle Reagan<\/h4>\n

Yoga instructor & Pastabilities server<\/em>
\nS. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications graduate<\/em>
\nOccasional Syracuse Woman Magazine contributor\/freelance writer<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had the pleasure of working alongside Ryland in the restaurant for several years. When she inspired us with her vision for last summer\u2019s Dreamland workshop, I was eager to get involved. My contribution is yoga.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m honored to provide movement and breath practices at our upcoming workshop series this summer. More so, I\u2019m honored to be part of and consistently inspired by the transformation Ryland\u2019s initial vision has undergone.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always had a thing for the underdog, and Fem Works is a united voice for just that. I\u2019m honored to take a role beyond my mat, collaborating with such amazingly intelligent, innovative, empathetic and responsive women to help foster connections within the Syracuse community. In tandem with connections, we\u2019re aiming to make real change.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all felt the shift; things are changing, for better and for worse. I think Fem Works is a beacon, part of a larger recalibration of perspective and values, an accession of voices. I am beyond humbled to be a part of it.<\/p>\n

Shauna Roloff<\/h4>\n

Registered nurse<\/em><\/p>\n

Last year, I was able to participate in a series of workshops hosted by Ryland. The event coincided with a transitional time in my life, serving as an emotional learning experience for me. Having that supportive space and collaborative energy was very important and helped me heal in a way didn\u2019t even know I needed at the time. I joined Fem Works Collective this year to support Ryland and help make these workshops happen again for myself and others.<\/p>\n

I think intersectionality is a central value held by all of us at Fem Works. One of the things I\u2019m most excited about this year is the opportunity to learn from the individuals leading the workshops. My hope is we will leave the workshops feeling inspired and energized, ready to foster change within ourselves and our community.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a gift to collaborate with the other members of this collective. I\u2019m impressed by their dedication and ability to organize. I\u2019m so excited to share a space and see how the events this year take shape.<\/p>\n

Anastasia Selby<\/h4>\n

English teacher, writer and nanny<\/em>
\nRecent Syracuse University graduate, with an MFA in creative writing<\/em><\/p>\n

I lived with Ryland for a year and saw how well her Dreamland workshops went, so, when Ryland asked me to be part of Fem Works, I was thrilled to be included.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m an advocate for body neutrality, fat positivity, eating disorder recovery and suicide awareness. I believe frank and open discussions about mental health issues are essential to a healthy society. Having lost my mom to suicide, I\u2019ve seen firsthand the devastation alcoholism and inaccessible mental health care can cause.<\/p>\n

As a nontraditional student at Syracuse University from a lower- class economic background, I was also stunned to see the disconnect between the smaller communities in our larger community of Syracuse, especially across racial lines.<\/p>\n

I hope Fem Works can help connect communities that don\u2019t often interact with one another by creating accessible classes and workshops for everyone. SWM<\/em><\/p>\n

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Creating Space for Community Collaboration\u00a0 Good food sparks good conversation and collaboration. Ryland Heagerty, manager at Pastabilities Restaurant, proved that true when she fostered friendships into Fem Works Collective. According to the collective\u2019s website, \u201cthrough the lens of intersectional feminism, Fem Works Collective supports and cultivates an inclusive setting for artistic collaboration, dialogue, community engagement…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[641,637,262],"class_list":["post-1903","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-fem-works-collective","tag-july-2018","tag-syracuse-woman-magazine"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/SWM-MAG-5-11-18-Alexis-Emm-Photo-11-1.jpg?fit=4256%2C2832&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1265,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1265","url_meta":{"origin":1903,"position":0},"title":"The Stoop Kitchen","author":"Staff","date":"December 1, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Revisiting The Stoop By Gabrielle Reagan | Photography by Steven J. 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