Local and national female artists will celebrate women's issues Monday and Tuesday evening.

The Women in the Arts Celebration is an event to highlight women, both locally and nationally, who have been involved in arts movements of all genres.

The performances will include poetry, music, theatre, film and visual art.

"Basically we're going to be coming together and celebrating women's accomplishments, because they still face a lot of discrimination within the arts world today," said Katelyn Belyus, outgoing director of Undergraduate Student Government women's affairs.

"This program is to not only recognize where they've come from and how they got to be so successful, but also to celebrate their involvement with women in the arts. There is so much hard work women have to do to get recognized in their field today; we want to showcase their talents here."

All of the artists will address or represent women's issues through their work or performances.

Belyus said topics such as body image, sexuality, rape, sexual assault, minorities, domestic violence and gender roles will be exposed and expressed through the art these women present.

Several local artists and Penn State professors will be showcasing their work at the celebration for women in the arts.

Dora McQuaid is a full-time instructor in the department of communication arts and sciences and an assistant in the Center for Civic Engagement.

She will perform some of her poetry at the celebration.

"I have been performing very actively on campus, in the community and across the state for the last three years now," McQuaid said.

"I write about everything, but a lot of my poetry tends to coincide with my efforts around activism, and a lot of that activism focuses on sexual and domestic violence and empowerment through voice and sharing of personal stories."

Jean Roman has lived in State College for the past 23 years and is graduating with a degree in integrative arts in May. She is a poet and singer/songwriter who will also be performing at the celebration.

"I have a very strong connection to women in the arts," Roman said. "I think it's a valuable celebration to have here in town since there are so few venues for women to perform and show their art."

Another local musician performing is internationally acclaimed cellist and Penn State professor Kim Cook.

Cook said she is very excited to take part in the arts celebration and enjoys the opportunities she has to play for the community.

For Belyus, this program will be an exciting and rewarding product of many months of hard work.

"Part of my position as director of Women's Affairs is to deal actively with programs, so it was my idea from the get-go to do a women in arts celebration," Belyus said.

"We have so much support across the university, both socially and academically, and we're just looking for this to be a giant, really fun celebration."

The Women in the Arts Celebration will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the HUB Auditorium.

It is open to all members of the University Park and State College communities.

Admission is free.