Sharelle Monét Thompson: Unraveling the Cycle

Date and Time

Wed, Jun 25, 2025 - Sat, Jul 19, 2025

Location

Details

Sharelle Monét Thompson debuts “Unraveling the Cycle”, a powerful and vulnerable exhibit concerning Black women’s health and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Through photography, film, and an immersive installation, Thompson presents viewers with a glimpse into her personal experience with PMDD and its under-discussed and debilitating physical and mental repercussions.

Designed to foster empathy and create awareness, “Unraveling the Cycle” includes a short documentary featuring interviews from medical professionals and personal experiences of women—including herself—who suffer from PMDD. An interactive gallery recreates the intimate space of a bedroom, inviting visitors to reflect on the often silent and invisible pain of others. Balancing the topic of PMDD, Sharelle Monét Thompson’s photography creates a visual dialogue that connects the viewer with the present-day narratives of Black individuals and communities. Together, the voices and faces of “Unraveling the Cycle” deliver a message that deserves thoughtful attention.

About the Artist:

Sharelle Monét Thompson is a Cleveland-based artist, writer, curator, and educator. She has a BFA in photography from Cleveland State University, where she participated in extensive research and exhibition building surrounding the art of the African Diaspora. Sharelle is a recipient of the Karamu Room in the House Fellowship. She focuses on themes related to family, identity, religion, and perspective as they relate to the Black experience. As a wife, mother, and educator, she prioritizes sustainability, often creating with found materials. The Akron Soul Train residency allowed her to explore filmmaking, set design, and multimedia storytelling for the first time, expanding her practice to spark conversations about mental health and community care.

Akron Soul Train is open Wednesday - Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm.