THE BREAST DIALOGUES: Healing Through The Arts project was conceived by renowned Germantown-based artist, Karen Smith, founder of multi-disciplinary women of color performance ensemble featuring drums, vocals, dance, and poetry: Sistahs Laying Down Hands/Laying Hands Down With Love; and the multi-talented instrumentalist collective, Weez the Peeples. Born in New York, Karen performs extensively throughout the tri-state area, and also appears as a guest artist for Yolanda Wisher & The Quick Fix and For Women Collective.

Hosted by the Painted Bride Art Center, and with the support of a number of artists across creative genres, THE BREAST DIALOGUES is a unique one-day conference utilizing music, song, dance, dramatic reading, storytelling and poetry to create a circle of healing for survivors and caregivers who have been touched by breast cancer. Collaborative art-making workshops for poets, painters, and rhythm makers will be at the center of the circle, as well as educational opportunities for learning about health and well-being practices for the entire family! The evening will culminate in a reception, featuring light refreshments and an opportunity for guests to mingle and offer personal testimonies.

Karen’s own healing through the arts journey began in childhood; however, more intentionally, after the death from breast cancer of two family members who were very significant in guiding her to the arts from a very young age: her aunt, Beatrice Simmons, in 1986; and her sister, Barbara Smith, in 2007. It was Barbara, in particular, who demonstrated the behind-the-scenes talents and skills that are necessary for any successful endeavor, and allowed Karen the vision, especially in the last two years, to bring this project to fruition.

In addition to invited presenters and speakers, artists who have already agreed to participate include: pianist and music director, Kendrah Butler; saxophonist, Lynn Riley; guitarist, Monnette Sudler; jazz vocalist, Ella Ghant; singer-songwriter, Gretchen Elise; storyteller, Momma Sandi; photographer, Tieshka K. Smith; poet, Jody ‘Tru Story’ Austin; and Poet-ify, featuring RuNett Ebo Gray and Victoria Huggins Puerifoy. And the list of presenters and artists continues to grow, all for the love of this project’s importance to the community, and in honor of an artist—Karen Smith—an artist with tremendous faith and a big heart.