Artist Erica Stephens invites the community into the Safe Room at the Texas Theater to participate in the creation of their own photographic still life in the vein of Dutch Vanitas paintings from the 1600s.

The Vanitas tradition is one in which objects are arranged to symbolically represent the futility and fleeting nature of earthly life. Traditional Vanitas symbols include skulls, fruit, flowers, bubbles, timepieces, candles, books, and objects of personal meaning.

Guests are invited to bring with them an object of personal and sentimental value to place in their still life compositions. Other objects will be provided on a wall of shelves that people may choose from. Each Vanitas composition will be a unique reflection of its composer.

Photographs will be taken of each still life composition and displayed for viewing through September 26.