Written by Debra Wright | Edited by Karin Luner
Debra Wright is an artist and curator based in Northern Virginia. Her work as a found object, installation, and avant-garde artist explores themes of social justice, human rights, and personal identity.
Her work as curator of The Rogue Art Project emphasizes commitment to community engagement. In January 2025, she was appointed Curator of The Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
Currently represented by Kyo Gallery, Alexandria, VA, Wright serves as a Managing Committee Member, Regional Coordinator Chair and Northern Virginia Regional Coordinator for The Feminist Art Project (TFAP). She is a Member of Women’s Caucus for Art Greater Washington, D. C., and Northern California Chapters.
Website: www.debrawrightstudio.com
IG: @debrawrightstudio
Legendary: An Exhibition of Women Artists
Why it’s needed, now more than ever
This exhibition showcases the work of 21 women artists, providing a vital platform to address long-standing inequities in the art world, particularly relevant given current challenges to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Even before the 2024 elections, Legendary garnered significant interest, quickly reaching artist capacity through invitations and word-of-mouth. Its timing is especially pertinent amidst efforts to dismantle DEI. By championing women artists, Legendary directly counters the anti-DEI movement and addresses historical omissions and biases.
An important component of the exhibition is a written accompaniment that educates the public on the representational disparities faced by women artists, using statistics to highlight systemic inequities. This serves as a tangible reminder of the ongoing need for targeted efforts to achieve equity in the arts, refuting the notion of a “level playing field.”
Legendary acts as a bulwark against the erosion of progress, actively amplifying the diverse experiences and artistic expressions of women. An additional feature is a call and response component, “As a woman artist, I…”, which preserves individual narratives from women worldwide and sparks further discussion within the art community and general public.
In an environment where support for inclusive practices is diminishing, exhibitions like Legendary become even more vital. They provide safe spaces for connection, collaboration, and solidarity, fostering resilience and demonstrating that equity efforts can flourish from the ground up, even without top-down institutional support.
By bringing these issues to the forefront, Legendary also serves as an educational tool, raising awareness about the challenges women artists face. It implicitly advocates for the continued importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially as formal DEI programs come under attack.
Legendary: An Exhibition of Women Artists is more than just an art show; it’s a powerful statement. In a climate where the very concept of DEI is being challenged, its curatorial vision offers a crucial counter-narrative, demonstrating the enduring need for dedicated spaces and platforms to champion women’s voices and actively work towards a more equitable and inclusive art world.
The exhibition will be held in Fairfax, VA, from May 26 to August 30, 2025 at the The Stacy C. Sherwood Center,
3740 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Through her dual role as artist and curator, Debra Wright is at the forefront of a cultural revolution—one that reawakens awareness,
challenges old paradigms, and builds a bridge guiding us all toward a reimagined world where women’s voices are seen, heard, and
celebrated.
Participating in this exhibition has been an incredibly inspiring experience. I was deeply moved and motivated by the powerful works of
so many talented women artists. I truly hope to continue being part of such a meaningful and honorable space.
Heartfelt thanks to Debra Wright and everyone who made this exhibition possible.