“Unfinished Woman” — Cultural Center Exhibition Marks 25 Years of A Year by theSea with Bold Contemporary Art on Midlife Reinvention
- CCofCC
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South Yarmouth, MA – October 9 – November 3, 2025 — The Cultural Center of
Cape Cod proudly presents Unfinished Woman, a sweeping contemporary
exhibition exploring the untold journeys of women stepping beyond the familiar
roles that long defined them. Curated by Molly Demeulenaere, the show invites
visitors to witness, honor, and embrace the raw, real, and unapologetically
incomplete process of becoming.
Timed to honor the 25th anniversary of Joan Anderson’s landmark memoir A Year
by the Sea, the exhibition extends Anderson’s call to reimagine midlife as possibility
rather than loss. Just as her work reshaped the cultural conversation, Unfinished
Woman continues that dialogue through visual art, performance, writing, and
community gathering.
A Contemporary Exhibition of Scale and Vision
In response to a national call for art, more than 100 artists submitted hundreds of
works for consideration. A jury of arts professionals and curators carefully selected
the final pieces, resulting in a dynamic and diverse exhibition that reflects a broad
range of experiences, media, and perspectives. The scale of submissions
underscores the resonance of the theme and the appetite among contemporary
artists to contribute to this vital conversation.
Featured Voices & Artistic Vision
Alongside the juried exhibition, the Cultural Center welcomes an inspiring group of
creative voices:
• Joan Anderson, bestselling author whose A Year by the Sea has inspired
women worldwide for a quarter century.
• Christine Ernst, writer, performer, and educator, known for her candid voice
of resilience and self-discovery.
• Laura Goodenow, lyricist, dramaturg, writer, and film producer, embodying
“Real Women Make Waves.”
• Siobhan Magnus, celebrated performer whose stage presence blends rock,
pop, and soul.
• Molly Demeulenaere, curator whose vision consistently elevates artists
pushing boundaries in narrative and voice.
Together, these women and the exhibiting artists explore themes of midlife,
transformation, emergence, solitude, resilience, and reclamation.
Events & Community Programming
“Unfinished Woman” is more than a gallery show—it is a community celebration of
voice and reinvention. Highlights include:
• Opening Reception & Artist Party, Thursday, October 9, 5–7 pm —
Celebrate with exhibiting artists, meet Joan Anderson, and honor the 25th
anniversary of A Year by the Sea.
• A Table of Becoming dinner with Chef Nicholas Caplice, Friday, October 31
— An intimate culinary experience rooted in storytelling and place.
• Film Screening & Panel: A Year by the Sea, Saturday, November 1 — Watch
the acclaimed adaptation and join a panel with Joan Anderson, producer
Laura Goodenow, and curator Molly Demeulenaere.
• FACB 2025: Old AF — Christine Ernst’s one-woman show, a sharp, honest
exploration of aging and identity.
• Writing Workshop: The Tides of Womanhood, Monday, November 3 — Led
by Joan Anderson and Christine Ernst, inviting participants to explore the
ebb and flow of identity, creativity, and growth.
Why It Matters
Too often, women’s transitions in midlife—stepping out of caregiving roles,
reimagining identity, or pursuing creative callings—are rendered invisible. Unfinished
Woman amplifies these stories, insisting that life’s “unfinished” chapters are rich
with power and possibility. With hundreds of works juried from over 100 artists,
the exhibition underscores how widespread and resonant these themes are in
contemporary culture. By aligning with the 25th anniversary of A Year by the Sea,
the show highlights both the enduring cultural impact of Joan Anderson’s message
and the vitality of artists who are still reshaping the conversation today.
Museum contact: Molly Demeulenaere | mollyd@cultural-center.org
About the Cape Cod Cultural Center
The Cultural Center of Cape Cod is a world-class, inclusive space that cultivates
curiosity, creativity and cultural exploration through exhibition, arts education and
life-long learning, and music and events. The center welcomes more than 25,000
people a year to its five galleries, resident artist studios, performance hall, culinary
arts center, recording studio, ceramics studio and makerspace. In 2025, the Cultural
Center will host more than 700 classes and 65 concerts. Learn more about the
Cultural Center of Cape Cod at www.cultural-center.org
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