ARTs + Change 2025: Hannah Bell

ARTs + Change Virtual Conference, January 23-26, 2025
Title: Travail: The Disparities of Maternal Death Rates in the United States
Presenter: Hannah Bell
Date: January 24, 2025

About the Conference:
ARTs + Change is a virtual conference hosted by the University of Rochester’s Institute for the Performing Arts, in partnership with the University of Rochester Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, 540WMain, Inc., Create a Space Now, the Eastman Institute for Music Leadership, and the Rochester Fringe Festival. This conference provided opportunities for artists of all disciplines, educators, community members, and community organizations to come together for four days of inspiring presentations, dazzling performances, and thought-provoking discussions on the intersection of arts, community, and changemaking.

About the Presenter:
"My current artistic practice focuses on portraits and figurative work; which gives me the opportunity to explore the beauty, variety, and value of people in my community and beyond. I explore the power of face and form to connect the viewer with personal stories and larger social issues. At the heart of so much of my work is people. Humanity. From inequality and injustice that harms people and communities and that needs to be addressed, to the people that need to be spotlighted and celebrated. When that humanity is denied and brutalized we need to feel the outrage. When there is a perfect moment of joy from a sweet child or a precious pet, we need that to keep us human and keep us motivated. Our human experience is one of the most interesting and powerful things in the world. And we all experience a vastly different world. But each life and each experience is important."