This year’s Sexibition attracted large crowds to Davis Ballroom to view artwork celebrating bodies, beauty and sexuality. Presented by Prism, an organization for queer students of color, the exhibit included paintings, photography, video shorts, photographic slideshows, live dance performances and most notably, an array of striking photographs portraying Smith students doing ordinary activities without clothing.

While past Sexibitions have generally been more focused on sexual experiences and gender roles, this year’s theme of “Breaking Traditions” aimed to do more than just celebrate sex.

“While in the past we’ve focused on more similar one-style narratives, this year we are trying to embrace all types of arts, to show the wealth of different people we have at Smith,” said Prism Chair Yanil Burgos ’13.

When the attendees entered Davis Ballroom, they were instantly met with the different styles of art. Visitors viewed photographs and paintings while listening to the slow, moody music of Frank Ocean and Florence + the Machine. The student-run dance company Celebrations also performed live alongside a photo slideshow and video shorts.

The change in approach was noted by attendees.

“[Sexibition is] my favorite Smith tradition,” said Mackenzie Hamilton ’13. “There are definitely a lot more different mediums than before, like dance.”

Smith students who had attended past Sexibitions also mentioned the different approach in layout, with the numerous candles and lights.

Sexibition impressed some Smith students who had never attended the event before.

“As a first-year, I didn’t know what to expect,” said Mary Sommer ’15. “But I really liked it. It was refreshing to not see completely airbrushed people for once.”

Other students chose to try to avoid Sexibition.

“I didn’t want to attend Sexibition, even though I do support it and think it’s great,” said Sarah McDonald ’15. “It is just awkward to go see pictures of naked people that could potentially be in your classes.”

Students who had been featured in some group pictures for the photo exhibit reported positive experiences.

“I’m usually kind of conservative, but I felt completely comfortable,” said one student who modeled.

The artwork touched on various social ideas. One exhibit focused on how femme style had positively impacted the artist, presenting text alongside the photographs reading “femme lets me take something that has never been fully mine.”

Another section of photographs, bringing awareness to the way that ballet promotes certain body ideals, aimed to “challenge this conformity by redefining dance as a celebration – of movement, of artistic expression, and of uniqueness of body.” An exhibit by Emma Cornwell ’13 featured naked Smith students in wheelchairs.

Other photographs featured students in various states of undress engaged in everyday activities such as reading, playing sports and receiving haircuts. Other artwork featured a mix of the pristine and nudity; for example, there was a mock Smith Web site that had been photoshopped to feature naked Smith students and text that read “I heard the Hunger Games was sweet!” Framed pictures of Smith students undressed and semi-dressed were also on display.

Prism’s exhibition challenged artists and models to surpass their own ideas of sex and beauty and encompass the diverse artistic and expressive community at Smith. The art depicted a spectrum of racial and gender identities and body types.

Sexibition’s portrayal of everyday activities, without clothes, aimed to normalize nudity and promote self-acceptance and a positive body image. It also aimed to portray nudity honestly; when most depictions of nudity in mainstream outlets are airbrushed, the images at Sexibition intended to show Smithies undressed and being themselves. Instead of just being a celebration of sex, this year’s Sexhibition aimed to be a celebration of the entire Smith community.