The Women's Studies Research Center was filled past capacity last Thursday for the opening reception of REACH for the Stars: Transform a Life; a display of the finest and most unique set of china. In conjunction with REACH (Refuge, Education, Advocacy, Change) a local domestic violence agency, the Women's Studies Research Center has solicited community members and celebrities to personally design this series plates. The exhibition will be on display continuously at the center until Nov. 7 when they will be auctioned off, entirety of the proceeds going to benefit REACH. The exhibition included plates created by Jehuda and Shula Reinharz as well as a whole cadre of community artists and luminaries including Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart and Museum of Fine Arts curator Malcolm Rogers. Other celebrities included Leonard Nimoy (best known as Captain Spock from Star Trek), architect Graham Gund, Tonight Show host Jay Leno and lifestyle maven and convicted felon Martha Stewart.

Shula Reinharz, a sociology professor and the director of the center, ushered the patrons to their seats and then introduced the coordinators of the program. With ebullience, she discussed the theme of partnership between students, scholars, members of the Women's Studies Research Center and the greater community. Project curator and operations manager Ana Davis stood up to voice her appreciation to the patrons and more than 25 artists in attendance.

Davis then ceded the floor to Joanne Segal, a representative from REACH, who detailed the group's mission to engage with domestic violence victims in the community-men, women and children-by means of court and family advocacy. Reach also provides victim support, counseling and shelter. As Joanne noted, the exhibition coincides with domestic violence month, and is a ripe time for patrons to reflect on the abuses of domestic violence. With the giddy and crowded audience listening attentively, the effusive atmosphere of the evening stood in stark contrast to the internal realities of domestic violence.

Davis described the project's lengthy timeline along with the resources that incited it. Taking shape over a year and a half, the project was conceived in the spring of 2003. The idea draws its inspiration` from Judy Chicago's display, The Dinner Party, which gave everyday items unexpected character and resonance. Kits containing a ceramic plate and glazes of five basic colors were shipped to the participants in May. After the plates were created, they were shipped back to the center to be fired and displayed. For the artists, Thursday night was the first time they were able to view the final product. As project artist and former Brandeis professor Karen Klein said, "It's scary not to know how the outcome would look."

Davis noted her ambitions to promote the fundamentals of the Women's Studies Research Center and to create further partnerships of support and networking between Brandeis and the community in order to fulfill the center's mission statement as a place: "where research, art and activism converge."

An additional educational component for the exhibition will occur on Nov. 7 before the auction. The panel entitled "Community Perspectives on Domestic Violence: Yes, It Happens in My Own Backyard" will include author Carol Kaufman, REACH advocate Rosa Alarcon and other panelists. It will be open to the public.