BY Camille Borodey

Orientation Editor

Women’s and gender studies students Cay Collins, Zach Dozier and Kevan Gardner, have created the “Radical Beauty Exhibit and Student Art Show,” as part of April’s celebration of Women’s History month.

The theme for this year’s Women’s History month will be redefining beauty, which according to Central’s website will be “a critical examination of beauty ideals in recent Western culture and how they reflect and perpetuate culturally powerful judgments about gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and age.”

The exhibit will feature a juried art show, where the subject will be “Human Beauty.” The pieces on exhibit will include over 300 images and a number of interactive pieces.

According to senior sociology major, Kevan Gardner, the exhibit will be a way of looking at the beauty in a non traditional way and shows the length people will go to achieve the beauty standard.

“I think it’s so important for everybody at this stage in their lives to think about the messages our society is sending,” Cynthia Coe, Director of the women’s and gender studies program said.

Gardner thinks the rise in media has affected people’s need for perfections along with the fact that society is very consumer based.  In fact, according to the 2013 Plastic Surgery Report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 15 million Americans underwent some sort of cosmetic procedure. Gardner has no disrespect for people who choose to get plastic surgery but thinks that many people let others influence their decision to get surgery.

“One of the thing that strikes me as sad is that in nature diversity is celebrated,” Gardner said, “but these beauty standards make us all want to be the same.”

The Radical Beauty Exhibit and Student Art Show will be displayed in the SURC 137A-B April 21-24.

Traditionally, Women’s History Month is celebrated in March, but due to finals week and spring break Central’s women and gender studies program is celebrating in April. As part of the celebration The Center for Diversity and Social Justice is displaying the “Heart Your Selfie Display” on the first floor of the SURC from April 8 to April 17.