Writings

The Awakenings Project is the artistic concept of Marissa Southards, of Southards Art Studio, which began in the Fall of 2016. What began as a single affirmation photo idea posted to social media, has now grown to over 150 participants, and two volumes of work between several US cities, and based in St. Louis, MO. The goal of the project is the empowerment of women through body positivity and self-actualization. Participants are asked to think of a word that best describes them. From that word, the participants are charged to embody its power through its placement on the body and the subsequent photo. The result being the mantra of the project, "Society does not define us, we define ourselves." These words are the writings inspired by this project. With words from the participants and the artist, this volume can be read as a stand alone or in companion to the photo compilation of The Awakenings Project, Volume I.