FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

the lives and experiences of others.

“My diagnosis set me free,” Duplessis said. “If I don’t lean into my creative power now, when will I?”

Her latest show, Blind Spot, features 20 works of collage and fabric art that focus on history, accessibility and privilege. It’s on display in the free OZ Gallery, 9209 Dorothy Blvd. in ornton, through Friday, March 24. e gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on second Saturdays.

Duplessis’ work is largely inspired by the stories she hears while out touring the country, and by surveys she has audiences ll out centered on particular topics or themes. When the topic of what privilege looks like in modern society was raised, she knew it was important to examine.

“ e questions I asked people this time were, `Do you think privilege exists? Have you experienced privilege? And how do you de ne privilege?’” she explained. “ e responses I received showed that we’re all having these di erent experiences right next to each other, but aren’t sharing them.”

When unveiling a new collection, most artists participate in the opening night festivities and maybe a special event here or there, but Duplessis goes above and beyond by making herself available to anyone who wants a guided tour through Blind Spot.

“Opening receptions are great, but many people aren’t able to attend, so I’m doing tours three days a week,” she said. “It’s not just about increasing accessibility for the show, but doing anything I can to support the arts.”

As a dedicated historian, once the exhibit’s run is nished, Duplessis will use collected thoughts from those who have visited to make a new work to be donated to OZ, thus continuing the chain of powerful artifacts left behind for those who follow.

Duplessis’ work may be challenging at times, but there’s a de nite power in seeing others’ experiences honored and expanded upon. She hopes the work will have profound e ect on those who open themselves to it.

“I want everyone to see the exhibit in their own way and at their own pace,” she said. “If someone knows that privilege exits, they’ll be grati ed by what they see, and if they don’t think it exists, they should de nitely come see the work.”

For more details, visit www.thorntonco.gov/arts/Pages/exhibits.aspx.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.