Kimberly Sass, a professional hockey player with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) & Buffalo-based architectural designer with HLW NYC, will debut Behind the Front, an advocacy art show to expose the realities of professional women’s hockey, at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
The show opening is part of the NHL’s New York Rangers’ “Girls Hockey Day” presented by Dunkin’ and will feature a panel discussion, VIP meet & greet and more. Admission is free with a ticket to the Rangers’ game against the Seattle Kraken that afternoon.
Following the MSG opening, the exhibit, presented by SASS STUDIO, will be on display at
Novado Gallery, 110 Morgan St., Jersey City, NJ, from February 2-11, 2022, including receptions on February 2, 4 & 5 at 7 p.m.
Behind the Front is a thought-provoking, immersive art experience featuring large-scale paintings, installation pieces & video inspired by Sass’ experience as a professional female athlete, and highlights the inequities she and her teammates face while playing professional women’s hockey.
“As female athletes, we often hear the criticism, ‘Just be grateful for the opportunity to play,’ ” Sass said. “I would often question if those critics knew the extent of our opportunity to play. The reality in the locker room was that my teammates would laugh off our negative playing conditions, because the alternative was to cry.”
Sass uniquely juxtaposes the realities of balancing careers in pro hockey and architecture, which stand in stark contrast to the positive images (the “front”) which professional women’s hockey portrays.
Through her show, Sass hopes to spark honest conversations about what it will take to achieve true equity in pro women’s hockey, while fostering public, corporate & private support for and interest in the sport to directly impact female athletes. Ten percent of auction and print artwork sales through April 1, 2022 will be donated to the Women’s Sports Foundation.
After its exhibition in Jersey City, Behind the Front is expected to make stops in Buffalo, NY, Seattle, WA and Los Angeles, CA. Details are forthcoming.
All are encouraged to engage with this eye-opening show & extend the conversation by following along on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook, and using the hashtags #sassstudio #behindthefront #btf.
Behind the Front is made possible by support from Sponsors including Spindrift Sparkling Water, Würstbar JC, & GP’s Restaurant, and a grant from the Women’s Sports Foundation.
ABOUT KIMBERLY SASS
Kimberly Sass is a professional hockey player and board member of the PWHPA, an architectural job captain with HLW NYC, and the sole artist of SASS STUDIO. Among her many accomplishments, she is an advocate for female athletes, professional women’s hockey & female participation in STEM careers. She also serves as an ambassador with IF/THEN and has been featured in CBS’ Mission Unstoppable. To stay up to speed with Kimberly’s endeavors, visit www.kimberlysass.com.
ABOUT SASS STUDIO
SASS STUDIO, formed in 2021, focuses on painting and installation work. Known for its bold, colorful representations and realistic style, SASS STUDIO humanizes the work by including ‘imperfect’ perspectives, pops of color and stylized elements. Behind the Front is SASS STUDIO’s first formal show. To follow along and support SASS STUDIO, please visit www.kimberlysass.com/sassstudio.
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Women’s Sports Foundation exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. We are an ally, an advocate and a catalyst. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, we strengthen and expand participation and leadership opportunities through research, advocacy, community programming and a wide variety of collaborative partnerships. The Women’s Sports Foundation has positively shaped the lives of millions of youth, high school and collegiate student-athletes, elite athletes and coaches. We’re building a future where every girl and woman can #KeepPlaying and unlock the lifelong benefits of sport participation. All girls. All women. All sports ®. To learn more about the Women’s Sports Foundation, please visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.
