Kesa Kivel is a Los Angeles-based artist as well as an educator and activist engaged in social justice issues, especially those concerning girls and women. Since 2003 she has volunteered to teach feminist issues to middle school girls, offering a broad-based curriculum in an interactive format. The Girl House Art Project, which was inspired by Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro’s 1972 “Womanhouse” art installation, was completed in 2006.  Prior to teaching a feminist arts curriculum, Kesa taught poetry to foster teens in a residential facility, as well as to youth incarcerated in juvenile halls and at a probation camp.   Creating art is as important to Kesa as creating curricula. Using fabric, paint, and handmade paper, she makes mandala-inspired forms that provide her with insight and direction for her spiritual journey. Some of her artwork can be found at www.scwca.org (click on Artists’ Registry). Kesa is a member of the Southern California Women’s Caucus for Art. © 2008 - 2009 Kesa Kivel