Women Explorers of the World

In September 2025, I presented Women Explorers of the World as part of the Charlotte International arts festival in collaboration with Blumenthal performing arts. The project was a roving art installation featuring three large scale paper mache pageant puppets inspired by historical multicultural women: Ines Mexia, a Mexican-American botanist who got her start in her 50's and went on expeditions throughout South America, Cheng I Sao, a fearless Chinese pirate queen who commanded a fleet of over 400 ships, and Bessie Coleman, the first African American female aviator.

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Each woman was operated by a team of three puppeteers, and I led the ensemble through 11 appearances across the festival, from nighttime block parties to daytime family-friendly events. My team brought a sense of play and fun to these roving performances, while also holding deep reverence for these ladies.

I was drawn to these figures because of their resilience and daring in times that were not welcoming to their spirit and dreams. Each alchemized her passion whether for botany, for the sea, or for flight, into a life of bold adventure.

Christine "Stiney" McLennan

christinemclennan1@gmail.com