BARBIE is a cultural icon introduced in the 1950s. This doll established beauty trends and today celebrates women from our history and the present day with limited-edition offerings. Emmy-nominated playwright Stepp Stewart will display his BARBIE collection at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport from mid-April through October of this year.
I asked Stewart how he came to collect Barbie dolls. He explained that he received his first BARBIE “Starlight Splendor,” a designer doll of Diana Ross from the Bob Mackie Barbie collection, as a gift from entertainer Debbie Gibson. That’s how it all got started. Stewart shares that he now has over 100 Barbie dolls.
The exhibition at Hartsfield-Jackson will feature 35 of his favorites. The exhibition dolls started with 50 and were pared down for the display in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atrium. The location of the display allows visitors who are not departing to visit the exhibition. Stewart speaks about Kitty Black, who was invited by Mattel to produce the first “Black” BARBIE in 1980. While BARBIE had several friends who were Black before Ms. Black.
Stewart garnered the exhibition after calling an information number on a lunchbox exhibition while traveling. I asked him what else he was up to, and he shared that he is currently touring with Debbie Gibson and they will be heading to Chile, then Canada, and NYC. Even so, he is still hosting Camp Spotlight, where participants will travel to NYC for Broadway shows. Additionally, he will produce a Soulful Christmas and Show ‘n Tell for our community this year.