Artists fight stigma at Breastfeeding Art Expo in Kelowna, B.C.

More than 80artists and community organizations are preparing to show offbreastfeeding-inspired art in Kelowna, B.C., this weekend.

The Breastfeeding Art Expokickedoff on June 2 andshowcases paintings, sculptures,andmultimedia art pieces that celebrate andraise awareness of breastfeeding.

The expois a community art project organized byKelowna Community Resources and Interior Health, involving three years of work with artists and community organizations in theOkanagan, Thompson Cariboo, and Kootenay regions.

It will travelto five more towns in the Interior, including Vernon, Penticton and Williams Lake.

Lisa Ford, Kelowna Community Resources program coordinator, said she was surprised at the positivereception when shefirst started inviting artists to participate in the show.

"We started with an idea, and we were overwhelmed by the response," said Ford. "So many communities were interested in being part of this expo."

She hopes the exhibitwill help new mothers embrace breastfeeding. Ford says that many new mothers in her community start off wanting tobreastfeed,but they experience barriers in continuingto do so.

"Sometimes they're not getting the support and information right off the bat,"said Ford. "Manywomen are uncomfortable breastfeeding in public."

Fightingbreastfeedingstigma with art

When Charla Maarschalkwas approached to create a piece for the expo, she was excited.

"My work goes back towhat'sreal," Maarschalk said.

Although it hasbeen several years since she breastfed her three sons, Maarschalk remembers the experience well.

"I rememberalways feeling awkward,having to cover up and gosomewhereprivate," she said.

Being part of the project has taught her a lot about the stigmas surrounding breastfeeding, she said, and the challenges other women face when doing it in public.

Maarschalksaid she waslooking forward for the show to premiere.

"There'ssome really thought-provoking pieces," she said. "Ithink the show is going to be fantastic."