University News
Women's Art Exhibit Now Open at WIU
March 1, 2012
MACOMB, IL – The public is invited to see the Women's Art Women's Vision 2012 exhibit, now open at the Western Illinois University Multicultural Center. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held Thursday, March 1, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
According to Women's Center Director Janine Cavicchia, this is the eighth women's art exhibit sponsored by the Women's Center since it was founded in 1986.
"We are excited to be able to hold the exhibit in our own space in the Multicultural Center again this year," Cavicchia said. "It is a nice venue, and it will provide an opportunity for people to come see the facility who may not have had been in here."
The exhibit is held in March in recognition of National Women's History Month. The reception will provide an opportunity for campus and surrounding community members to meet some of the artists whose works will be on display.
"We sought submissions of all mediums from female students, staff, faculty, alumni, as well as women from the community, and we have a nice variety of works and artists," Cavicchia said. The media on display include acrylic paint, charcoal, colored pencil, photography (digital and film), appropriation art paper on paper collage, fiber/found objects, mixed media, oil on canvas, digital fractal art, copper, brass, intaglio, and wire and paper maché.
Cavicchia added, "We are always pleased with the diversity and quality of artwork submitted, and we appreciate everyone who has helped with the exhibit, including the WIU Art Gallery for providing easels."
According to Women's Center Office Manager Amelia Hartnett, female artists have been under-represented in the past, not appearing in art history books until the 1980s.
"The purpose of this exhibit is to bring recognition to established artists and to encourage beginning artists to keep pursuing their talents," Hartnett said. "This exhibit provides an opportunity to pay tribute to all of the women throughout history who, because of their gender, were denied admission to art academies, were not acknowledged for their talents and were not included in art history books."
Hartnett added, "It's a very nice exhibit and the reception will be fun, so we hope lots of people will join us or stop by to see the exhibit during its run."
The Women's Art Exhibit will also provide an opportunity for viewing other artwork in the Multicultural Center, including the Honoring Our Mothers stained glass window and plaque with the names of the donors and honorees in the Women's Center Lounge on the first floor. Also on display are two sculptures donated last year by local artist Constance "Connie" DeMuth Berg in honor of Dr. Elizabeth (Betty) Kaspar and Dr. Marietta Dean, which are in the Multicultural Center first floor activity room.
This year's Women's Art Exhibit participants include:
Students (by county and hometown)
CHICAGO
60611 – Ciera Shimkus, senior, psychology major
60617 – Valarie McCampbell, junior, graphic communication
COOK COUNTY
Calumet City – Anitra Jordan, senior, art major;
Oak Park – Ashley Merchant, junior, communication and art major
KANE COUNTY
Aurora – Lauren Ring, senior, art major
PEORIA COUNTY
Glasford – Courtney Cluney, senior, psychology major
Western Illinois University Employees
Phyllis Farley Rippey – associate professor, political science
Deborah Lutz – office support specialist, geography
Heather McMeekan – webmaster, University Technology
Marla Shinn – senior applications analyst, Administrative Information Management Systems
Western Illinois University Alumni
Keokuk, IA – Martha Neff, WIU '84, BA in art
Macomb - Nancy Jones, WIU '85, MS in educational & interdisciplinary studies
Macomb Community Members
Katie Geltz – substitute teacher
Patricia Hobbs – retired art instructor
Sandy Nesbit Tracy – artist/writer
Janice Rockwell – retired educator/artist
Patti Sullivan-Howd – photographer
For more information, contact the Women's Center at 309/298-2242 or via e-mail at womenscenter@wiu.edu or visit wiu.edu/wc
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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