WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
The power and innovation of female guitarists take center stage in the electrifying new exhibition, “She Shreds: From Sister Rosetta to St. Vincent,” opening on June 6th from 4–6 PM. This groundbreaking showcase traces the legacy of women in rock music, from the pioneering riffs of Sister Rosetta Tharpe to the genre-bending artistry of St. Vincent.
Featuring archival materials, instruments, and oral histories, “She Shreds” highlights the profound influence of female guitarists and sheds light on their often-overlooked contributions. The exhibit pays homage to legendary artists and bands such as Sleater-Kinney, Hole, and Fanny while also celebrating local musicians and grassroots movements, including Girls Rock Bloomington, which has empowered young female artists in the community. Contemporary artists such as Phoebe Bridgers and Japanese Breakfast from local record label Secretly Group will also be showcased.
Through a curated collection of artifacts and narratives, “She Shreds” offers a powerful counter-narrative, confronting the erasure of female guitarists in mainstream music culture. Past and present will be highlighted through custom listening stations where visitors will get to experience curated playlists, and vinyl tunes from artists featured in the exhibit. At 5pm enjoy a special gallery talk from local artists and an electric guitar demo.
