Mid-February brings the annual College Art Association conference and this year included much celebration of Inappropriate Bodies: Art, Design, and Maternity. Several of our contributors gathered in Chicago, February 12-16, to participate in various events.

Thursday:

Niku Kashef interviewed the editors (Charles Reeve and me) about the book’s genesis and development in a session specifically for the Women’s Caucus for Art concurrent conference on Intersectionality. Many thanks to WCA for including us in their program and to Niku for facilitating the interview.

Friday:

Contributors, colleagues, friends, and interested parties from CAA and the greater Chicago area gathered for a book launch party at the Hilton 720 South Bar.

Saturday:

Even though we were scheduled in the last session of the conference, our Inappropriate Bodies panelists spoke to a packed room. People are interested in this topic! Smart presentations by Jennie Klein, Niku Kashef, Natalie Loveless and Sheena Wilson, and Alicia Harris, along with engaged discussion with the audience, led to conversations that spilled out into the hallway and beyond. Particularly meaningful for me were discussions about Indigeneity and kinship, as well as meeting graduate students who are already using our scholarship in their research. I am eager to see how these conversations continue to evolve in the future.