Block Museum of Art hosts discussion on art, women in athletics

Block Museum of Art hosts discussion on art, women in athletics Block Museum of Art hosts discussion on art, women in athletics Libby Marsh/The Daily Northwestern The Block Museum of Art hosted a conversation diving into the intersection of art and sports by looking at a photo portrait titled “Amber Morningstar.” Libby Marsh, Reporter October 15, 2026 The Block Museum of Art collaborated with Northwestern’s Department of Athletics and Recreation to host a discussion on art and women in sports Wednesday. The event’s focus piece, “Amber Morningstar,” is a photograph by artist Cara Romero. It depicts Amber Morningstar, a friend of Romero’s and member of the Choctaw Nation, in a lifesized doll box surrounded by objects chosen by Morningstar. The portrait is part of Romero’s “First American Girl” series, where she collaborated with her subjects, who are photographed to mimic American Girl Dolls. In the photo, Morningstar is wearing a traditional dress and around her are objects of personal significance, including stickball sticks, a hat and a rifle. The photo is framed with a beaded border in the style of Choctaw beaded sashes. Erin Northington, associate director of campus and community education and engagement, led the conversation and it was open to students, athletes, faculty and community members. Former NU Cross Country and Track athlete Ava Earl (Weinberg ’25) and Associate Provost for Community Enrichment Michelle Manno spoke on their interpretations of the work and its connection to women in athletics. The piece is one in a four-work series highlighting pieces in The Living Room that draw connections between athletics and art. This series is a part of a partnership between the Block Museum and Northwestern Athletics known as the “Reframe” initiative started in 2022.  As part of this series, a different piece is highlighted in The Living Room each month. More than 100 student athletes, coaches and staff voted on eight pieces of art from the Block collection to determine the works for the series. “I think this particular intersection of sports and art is really unique,” Manno said. “No matter which side of that you might be coming to the conversation from, you’re gonna learn something really interesting.”  At the beginning of the discussion, attendees received question cards about their impressions of the work. Later in the event, participants shared their thoughts and curiosities on the featured piece.  Block Museum Student Associate Chung Yu Kwok said student athletes are often removed from the rest of campus. She added that this event helped to intertwine athletics with art. “I liked how it got really personal with people giving their own anecdotes of what was going on and how they experienced representation as an athlete, even though they’re not necessarily in the same group as the person who’s represented,” Kwok said. Much of the discussion surrounded representation, both through the artwork as well as how women are represented and portrayed in athletics. “Amber Morningstar” will be on display in The Living Room in the Block Museum until Oct. 25. The next discussion will be centered on expressions of masculinity in art and athletics, based on a piece by Kachelle Knowles, on Oct. 29 at 3:30 p.m. in The Living Room. “I hope that people left with some new ways of thinking about the experience of women athletes and experiences of women more broadly,” Northington said. Email: [email protected] Related Stories: — Cross Country: Alaska native Ava Earl stars as squad climbs to new heights — Block Museum’s ‘The Living Room’ offers unique, informal setting for reflection — Photographer Cara Romero explores Indigenous heritage through pop culture references 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Tags: Block Museum of Art Northwestern Athletics and Recreation Reframe Initiative More to Discover More in Alumni NU dedicates new memorial to 6 alumni killed in 9/11 attacks NU alumni reflect on innovation and the future alongside Nobel laureate Northwestern students, alumni celebrate Ryan Field ahead of inaugural game Sheinelle Jones receives Distinguished Alumnae Award Northwestern adds three new members to Board of Trustees Musical with Northwestern roots releases concept album featuring alumni More in Campus As an international Ph.D. student faces visa uncertainty, NUGW continues grievances against NU Embracing the wild: A crash course to Northwestern wildlife Spanish Prof. Lexie Cook digs into ongoing research on relics in colonial West Africa Northwestern leadership considers plans for new engineering building on Evanston campus Northwestern, Purdue communities reflect on Chiang transition International students call for support as President Chiang reaches 100 days in office More in Events MIT Prof. Sara Seager to search for life in the clouds of Venus NU Hillel hosts Oct. 7 commemoration at The Rock Photojournalist Prashant Panjiar gives snapshot of his career at Northwestern ‘October 7: In Their Words’ hosted by NU Hillel at Cahn Auditorium Dittmar Memorial Gallery opens Lelia Byron’s ‘The Names We Give To Home’ exhibit Author John Green discusses new novel during Chicago Humanities’ event