Press Room

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LATEST NEWS

"M" is for Menopause Opening October 2024

EMPOWERMENT. TRANSFORMATION. RESILIENCE. STRENGTH.

JOIN US FOR OUR WOMEN'S WELLNESS DAY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024 at Rocky Mount Mills!

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“M” is for Menopause is a group exhibition dedicated to exploring the profound journey of menopause through a rich and diverse collection of artwork by North Carolina artists. Using the universal language of art, the exhibition seeks to educate, inspire, and celebrate the menopausal journey, highlighting it as a time of transformation and strength. By 2025, it’s estimated that 1.1 billion women will be experiencing menopause, or “The Change” as it is frequently called. Menopause is not a disease. Menopause is not a mental health condition. It is a natural part of the aging process when a person has gone 12 months without a menstrual period. In the United States, the average age for menopause is 51. However, it can occur earlier in life. But what is menopause? What causes hot flashes? What does it mean to be perimenopausal or postmenopausal? Too often, these normal life stages are spoken about negatively in hushed tones as if they’re something to be ashamed of or feared. Those with symptoms may be told it’s all in their mind and struggling can become normalized. The “M” is for Menopause exhibition and associated programming will allow us to advance conversations about menopause and help reframe the narrative on the subject.

As a part of this exhibition, we are proud to be supporting The Lighthouse Home. The Lighthouse Home is a 501(c)3 residential facility for women who are in transition and need a place to call home as they work towards the next chapter of their lives. The organization provides a structured and supportive environment for all women who need a fresh start and a new lease on life. Many residents have found their way to The Lighthouse Home while struggling to fight back against violence in their previous homes, substance abuse and life events that left them without shelter. These women come from all walks of life: young and old, college graduates and high school dropouts. The impactful work being done by The Lighthouse Home is marked by profound change, resilience, and the pursuit of a new chapter in life. The menopausal journey has many of these same characteristics. The art showcased here reflects the strength, courage, and transformation that are common threads in both of these experiences.

Join us on October 12, 2024, for our Women's Wellness Day! Whether you're experiencing menopause, supporting someone who is, or simply curious to learn
more, this event is for you! Let’s celebrate and embrace this natural phase of life together!

The Weight on My Shoulders Opening June 2024

(Click image to view press release)

In June 2024, Drinking Gourd Gallery presents “The Weight on My Shoulders” to highlight the pervasive, but often overlooked issue of men’s mental health. This group exhibition seeks to shed light on the challenges faced by men coping with mental health issues, particularly within the context of civilian and veteran life. Featuring paintings, drawings, photography and video, this artistic showcase will offer an exploration of the shared struggles, psychological stressors, and resilience found within these diverse populations. The exhibition will run from June 1 through June 30, 2024, at the Southeast Regional Library in Garner, commemorating Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Visitors are invited to experience the exhibition daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.

WRAL Out & About Podcast

"Why am I burning up in here when everyone else is freezing?" "Why do I keep forgetting words that I know I know?!" "Am I going crazy or is this menopause? In this WRAL Out & About Podcast episode, host Diane Ramsey interviews Carol Torian and Kirsten Moore, co-curators of "M is for Menopause, Baby!" a new art exhibition at Rocky Mount Mills that explores menopause and opens a dialog about this natural phase of womanhood. Click the image below to listen to the episode:

M is for Menopause, Baby! Exhibition Opens October 18, 2023

(Click image to view press release)

M is for Menopause, Baby! is a group exhibition that aims to raise awareness and challenge the myths, stereotypes, and stigma that surround the menopausal journey. By 2025, it’s estimated that 1.1 billion women will be experiencing menopause, or “The Change” as it is frequently called. But what is menopause? What exactly does it mean to be perimenopausal or postmenopausal? What is surgical menopause? What happens to the body during a hot flash? We’ll answer these questions and more by using art to help reframe the narrative about menopause. The exhibition is being presented by Drinking Gourd Gallery in partnership with Rocky Mount Mills, Kiki Piper, and UNC Health Nash. Curating this exhibition are Carol Torian, founder of Drinking Gourd Gallery and Kirsten Moore, founder of Kiki Piper.

M is for Menopause, Baby! opens to the public on World Menopause Day, October 18, 2023. The exhibition will be on view at Rocky Mount Mills, which is located at 1151 Falls Rd in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and it will be available virtually, as well.

Canvas Rebel Magazine: Meet Carol Torian

Canvas Rebel magazine recently interviewed Carol Torian as part of their "Risk and the Stories of Triumph and Failure" series, which features articles about entrepreneurs and creators from around the country. (Click image to read the full article.)

The Standard Banner: Negro Leagues Come Alive at Parrott-Wood Memorial Library in Tennessee (click image to read the full article)

Drinking Gourd Gallery Presents: HER Exhibition at Rocky Mount Mills March 1-31, 2022 (click image to view information card)

Darryl Matthews: Black Diamond Tours to American Tobacco Campus - Reed Art Gallery in Durham, NC February 7-May 31, 2022 (click image to view information card)

Drinking Gourd Gallery Presents: Darryl Matthews: Black Diamond at Rocky Mount Mills October 15-31, 2021 (click image to view information card)

In the Spotlight: Darryl Matthews' Work Selected for Piedmont Triad International Airport Walking Tour of Art (click image to view press release)

PRESS RELEASES

Drinking Gourd Gallery Presents Black Diamond to Celebrate Negro Leagues Baseball (click image to view press release)

SELECTED MEDIA COVERAGE

Meredith Alumna Carol Torian Curates Virtual Art Exhibition

Triangle Business Journal The Promise Of: Drinking Gourd Gallery

WCPE: The Classical Station's Virtual Art Exhibition "The Fire Inside" by Carol Torian

Contact Us

Carol Torian

Founder and Owner, Drinking Gourd Gallery

(919) 627-4994

cjtorian@gmail.com