RECORD: The Riveting Project

With big dreams for The Riveting Project, Miranda Crowell Seble is hard to catch for a spare moment during business time. A proud opportunist, the 23-year-old Salemander holds some haughty hustles: workhorse in sales and social media at Divine Distillers by day; freelancer and manager at Factor Kites Photography, following the local roller derby scene on the weekends; newly-wed millennial and aspiring homesteader in-between. In a respite from her racing in the rains of downtown Salem, she joined me at Busick Court, my favorite haunt for easy breakfast conversations. There, we chatted about the details of The Riveting Project, a series of pop-up events where Miranda photographs participants posing in costume as Rosie the Riveter.

“It was the same day as the Women’s March on DC in 2018,” she recounted over coffee. “News broke that the woman who inspired Rosie — Naomi Parker Fraley — passed away.” With deep affections for the cultural icon influenced by her mother’s days as a recreational pilot, it didn’t take long for the idea to form. “It spurred in a couple of days: what if we got some bandanas and overalls, went to the yellow brick wall in downtown Corvallis and made some photos happen?”

A student at Oregon State University at the time, Miranda didn’t expect the outcry of support for her impromptu passion pop-up; family members, friends and extended connections were all reaching out asking how they could be a part of it. “Quite the compliment because my mom has been photo-shy for most of my life.”

Since Miranda’s return from university to Salem, her events have garnered attention for the burgeoning idea. Pop-ups at her Divine Distillers stomping grounds and friend-of-the-project Blast Off! Vintage have brought interest from passers-by. Compelled by curiosity, nostalgia and empowerment, participants build their own Rosie outfit from over 50 thrifted and handmade items Miranda brings with her on ventures. Photos are taken, waivers are signed and the ideological photographer has a cache of Rosie posers to add to her collection.

When asked why she thinks the project has found support, Miranda said: “The ‘we can do it’” spirit is incredibly relevant.” Being invited to participate in TEDxSalem with her pop-up earlier this year cemented the idea for her. “That was the signal boost that this project has eclipsed anything I thought it would be.”

“Originally, it was ‘let’s do 50’ and then ‘let’s do 100’,” she said, “and now I’ve smashed both of those goals.” 

With another Rosie the Riveter Day quickly approaching (March 21), Miranda is expecting bigger numbers on the horizon. More importantly, though, she hopes to turn future pop-ups into opportunities. “… it would be fantastic to do more with the community, whether that’s a series of prints or a pop-up for International Women’s Day.” 

Follow the future of The Riveting Project on Instagram @The Riveting Project, where Miranda will be posting event releases and pictures from past pop-ups.

This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 11 (Feb/Mar 2020)