If she seems calm and kind and sunny these days, well, she says there is not a day that she is not sad for at least a bit. And painting doesn't really change that, she says. But turning her thoughts into something concrete does validate those thoughts, she adds.

As she begins each painting, she doesn't know where she is going with it. The images organize themselves as she goes along.

It is not that her art allows her to let go of what happened to Julius, or to Cyrus, she explains. But her art does allow her to make solid the images of her motherhood. And now she is not alone with those images anymore.

If you go ...

March 5-16: Art exhibit featuring the work of Alice Perrault; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Bailey Exhibition Hall, College of Architecture, 375 S. 1530 East. Reception March 12, 4-6 p.m.

Friday, March 9: Film and discussion of "Mother Superior," a 22-minute documentary made by local students Alex Mack and Diana Montero about Utah mothers who are addicted to meth; 7 p.m.; Olpin Union Theatre, 200 S. Central Campus Drive.

March 9-15: Crisis Nursery community service project. A table will be set up at Women's Week events to provide information on and collect donations for the Family Support Center's Crisis Nursery, which offers free respite child care 24 hours a day to families in turmoil.

Monday, March 12: "Mommy Monologues." Women and men perform monologues about parenthood within the context of race, ethnicity, religion, being single, working, staying at home, being lesbian/bisexual/gay — or choosing not to have children at all; 7 p.m.; Utah Museum of Fine Arts auditorium, 410 Campus Center Drive.

Tuesday, March 13: "On the Clock," panelists from the community — Nilafur Cagatay, Elizabeth Clement, Karen Kwan and Paula Smith — talk about balancing life in the work force; noon; Olpin Union Ballroom.

Wednesday, March 14: Julianne Malveaux's keynote address, noon, Olpin Union Saltair Room.

Thursday, March 15: Susan Douglas' keynote address, 7 p.m., Olpin Union Saltair Room.

Information: www.womensweekutah.edu

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E-mail: susan@desnews.com