This newsletter is divided into the following articles. To read any one of these articles, please click on the text of the article title.

Letter from the Directors:

Welcome to spring at Woman Made Gallery. There is so much excitement in the air and in the neighborhood where WMG resides. If you still have not visited the Prairie Avenue location this is the perfect time to plan a pleasant and enriching afternoon in the area. Start with a trip to the Vietnam Veterans' Art Museum, followed by a delightful lunch at Cafe V. If it's a warm day you can eat your lunch in the Hillary Rodham Clinton Women's Park. Then you can take a tour of the Glessner and Clarke Houses, two of Chicago's oldest homes. Save the best for last, and complete your outing with an uplifting and fulfilling visit to Woman Made (we are open until 7 PM Wednesday through Friday). In April/May the gallery presents Stitches, a group exhibit of men and women featuring artwork that contains fabric or needlework. On view from mid-May through June 18 will be Cut and Paste, a show devoted to the variations and techniques of collage.

An addition to the gallery's regular programming is the introduction of one-woman shows in the smaller exhibit hall of the gallery, the Joy Darrow Memorial Wing. The solo exhibits scheduled for 1999 feature the work of Elizabeth Harms, Dian Sourelis, winner of the 2nd International Open, Stephanie Cook, and Vicki Leon. These women were invited to exhibit at Woman Made by its directors Beate Minkovski, Janet Bloch, Pamela Callahan and Executive Advisor, Judy Chicago. Next year we will open the process of participation to the public with committee reviews. Stay tuned for more information on these opportunities.

We hope that your creativity flourishes this spring. We gently remind you to recommit to your New Year's resolutions by making your art a priority. Get to work!

Beate Minkovski, Executive Director, Janet Bloch, Gallery Director
& Pamela Callahan, Assistant Director

A Message

Many people have supported Woman Made Gallery over the years as members and donors. Every year the number of members and the size of individual donations grow. This year, Woman Made Gallery is launching a magnificent fund-raising campaign and we are calling on you to rally to the cause. Many people have wondered how WMG is funded and ask if we receive grants. The answers to these questions are always changing. In the beginning, Woman Made was funded with the personal time and monetary contributions of its founders and directors. Believing in the mission and vision for the gallery, they gave to their maximum capacity.

Over the years, many individuals have joined us in supporting the gallery's mission. The membership grew slowly in the first four years and then soared over the next two years, reaching over 400 members presently. We would like to see the gallery double its membership in the next year. To reach that goal we would have to receive one new membership a day for the next year, in addition to renewing all our present members. This is not such a difficult task. I believe that there is one individual out there for each day of the year, that has not yet contributed, who is willing to in order for WMG to survive.

There are many people who believe in the work that WMG does on behalf of women artists, that enjoy the opportunities that WMG provides, that are enriched by our exhibits and readings, that have benefited from selling or gaining exposure for their work. Some of these people may not realize they are not members or never really thought about joining.

Please consider that foundations and corporations like to financially award organizations that can show the community needs them. If you are served by Woman Made Gallery and you do not support the organization, then who will?

Our Executive Advisor, Judy Chicago, told our board of directors that the number one reason women's institutions have not survived the decades, let alone the centuries, is that, historically, women have not financially supported these institutions. I believe we can change this history. Beate Minkovski, Executive Director and I have been willing to contribute our own limited resources to see Woman Made Gallery take root and bloom. Other individuals have followed. Now, foundations are contributing. In order to guarantee that women's contributions to the arts will not stay in the margins of history, we need you to come on board and ensure Woman Made Gallery's survival. Please fill out the questionnaire in this newsletter and return it to the gallery by September 30th. If you're not already a member, why not send your membership along as well. If you are a member, we thank you, and ask you to consider sending a donation. If you've already done both, we thank you for building a community and institution where women's visions will endure. Women are going to be included in the history of art in the next millennium with your help.

Janet Bloch, Gallery Director

Walkathon

On Saturday, May 15, Woman Made will host its second annual walkathon. Last year, walkers raised $6000 for the gallery and this year we hope to double our fund-raising efforts. The route is a scenic, 6K path, starting at Woman Made and continuing along the lakefront's museum corridor. Last year the weather was beautiful, the food was delicious (box lunches provided by Whole Foods) and the entertainment and prizes added to he festivities. Please call the gallery for more information on walking or sponsoring a walker this year. See you there!

words

Driving Home
© Elizabeth Harms

It was that time of night when the stars look like rhinestones shook out of Little Richard's blue velvet cape. I was alone on the highway to Santa Barbara. My old Dodge truck was rumbling the steady 4/4 beat of our last set. The reflectors at the side of the road flew by me like asphalt fireflies. When I licked my lips I wasn't sure if I was tasting my sweat or a good night kiss thrown from the Pacific.

I looked through the windshield and sighed. I hate this part of the drive. It doesn't matter where you are coming from, the last sixty miles before you get home are always the longest.

I saw the headlights in the rearview mirror before I heard the rhythm that could only be the V-8 of a '74 Mercury. I glanced at the side mirror and it was as though I was looking through time. The four riders in that midnight Merc had the faces of Aztec warriors. Their smooth skin could have been newly tanned hide stretched over the skulls of men who had died fighting to expand an empire.

Turning my eyes back to the road I heard a strange percussion. The Mercury pulled ahead of me, its dark blue body turning black then disappearing in the darkness. I thought the red lights I saw were the fuck-you-farewell from the taillights. But sparks were spitting back at me. I saw something metallic slithering in the roadway. I sped up to warn the driver but as I approached my mouth went dry.

Out of the rear passenger's window snaked a seven-foot length of chain throwing bits of light as it hit the pavement. It was shackled to the kid in the backseat, his foot loosely braced in the window. His bare chest caught the light of a waning moon. There were scars on his chest and on his face from where a knife had danced across his skin. The flash of on coming headlights illuminated the inked lines where blood had been shed for love.

I realized that if the chain were to catch on something his leg would be instantly torn from his body, sinew snapping like string. I imagined he'd be still while everyone else was screaming. I think he'd look you up and down with whipsaw eyes his expression saying "Everybody's chained to the same thing. Truth is you're screaming because you're left behind."

I hadn't realized I'd slowed down until the excruciating highbeams of a sixteen wheeler burned my eyes. I flipped off the driver and picked up speed leaving him behind. I heard the chuckle of chain against asphalt and knew the Merc was still with me. It stayed with me all the way home, the miles pounding in my chest like a heartbeat.

Letter from a WMG Member

Dear Woman Made Gallery,

What an incredible first visit to a gallery! Saying "thank you" is inadequate. Grief and Loss blew me wide open emotionally and I was discussing personal history with you and your assistant that I haven't been able to talk about for years. I felt perfectly safe. I really felt the power of art and the joy of understanding.

I look forward to being associated with Woman Made Gallery for many years to come. I'll be in touch soon to ask how I can contribute.

All the best,
Betty Simon

Call to Members with Websites

We are looking for Woman Made members who have websites. We'd like to have a section on our webpage with links to various organizations and women artists. If you are interested in linking up, call the gallery or e-mail us with your web address. As of February, we have been getting approximately 100 visitors a day viewing works from our exhibits via the site. You can print out entry forms to upcoming shows, membership forms, or e-mail us your comments, questions and suggestions to gallery@womanmade.org. Our web page was designed by Galganov and Associates in Cambridge, Ontario. You can admire their own web page and others they've designed by visiting their site at http://www.galganov.on.ca.

Angels Desperately Needed

We need your help in our efforts to secure underwriting and donations for our main fundraising event, the November 5th, 1999 Art Auction. We are seeking donations of the following items: wine, softdrinks, flowers, pianist or other musicians.

We also need items for our Silent Auction: expiring airline miles, tickets to sporting and cultural events, gift-certificates to stores, restaurants etc. and services, such as massage therapy, house cleaning or anything else you would like to donate. Your efforts will help make this evening a tremendous success. Please contact the gallery for auction donor forms.

Call for Volunteers

Have you been trying to figure out how to lend your talents to Woman Made?? Have we got the place for you! The recently formed volunteer committee is off and running and we need you! We need volunteers for two fabulous fundraisers planned for this year as well as for openings and other gallery events. Please call Carol Hirsch at 312-573-0654 to sign up. It might not be a tax write-off but it is karma for your next life. Thank you.

Wish List

1. wine and soft drinks for openings
2. CD player
3. office supplies
4. photo copier
5. 35mm slide projector
6. exhibit sponsors
7. memberships from every person on our mailing list so we can continue our services to women in the arts and buy all the things on our wish list.

These are the things we wish we had. We would be very thankful if you can help us get any of them. Please keep in mind that your donations are tax deductible.

Worthy Organizations

The Peace Museum is an educational institution whose mission is to motivate children, teens and adults to achieve creative solutions to the problems of violence. Please check out their website: http://www.peacemuseum.org for more information. An upcoming exhibition celebrating Women's Peace Initiatives opens June 25th and runs through September 11, 1999. The Peace Museum is located at 314 W. Institute Place, Chicago, IL 60610. For more info call 312-440-1860.

Please and Thank You

We would like to thank all those who have become members since the last newsletter publication, and those who have donated money and/or their resources and time to help us:

Jon Anderson, Kerry Bacia, Elizabeth Bacon, Deb & Dave Beckman, Rexene Bertolino, Denise Bonesteel, Rachael Ann Bottorff, Nancy Buik, Fran Bull, Susan Cherco, Ellen Costello, Gail Flack Crandus, Sue Davenport, Karen Keene Day, Ellen Roth Deutsch, Christina Dunne, Renee Elkin, Eugenia Fawcett, Jill Foco, Vera Gassner-Wollwage, Ashley Gegg, Pete Insley, Lynn Golberstein, Cam Harper, Susan Harrison, Patricia Hernes, Pearl and Hyman Hirshfield, Carla Inwood, Marva Pitchford Jolly, Pamela Joseph, Linda Kardoff, Lucinda Lee Katz, Paula Katz, Diana Kindzred, Amy Kintner, Loretta Wilson Kost, Rebecca Langler od Sundowners, Ronette Leal, Rosemary Luckett, Loralyn Kumlin, Glynnis Lessing, Barbara Lynne, Regina Maniaci, Betsy Martens, Barbara Martin, Marla Mason, Suzanne Massey, Nancy Jayne Mathieu, Therese McKearnan, Sally McQuillen, Beth C. Miller, Kendra Miller, Cybele Moon, Sharyl Noday, Mary Lou Novak, Mary Ann Penner, Dina Petrakis, Margaret Klimek Phillips, Martha Phillips, Felicia Grant Preston, Allisa Rottenstein, Suanne Sardi, Jeanne Sellergren, Dana Stawski, Jenny Steinman, Kathy Treacy, Cherryl Troy, Rachel Weaver, Deborah Weber, Barbara Wieland, Peggy Wolff

Please check our next issue if your name has not been included yet.

A Special Thanks to

Deborah and David Beckman for two cases of wine for our receptions.
Cali Bergold at Café V for her generous donations of food and drink for the opening of Conflict/Resolution.Regina Maniaci for donation of handpainted mugs with our logo on it.
Thanks to Alison Witt-Janssen you can now view selected artwork from our exhibitions on < AHRED="exhibitions.html">this web-site.
Chris Wert for photographing artwork and the gallery for our upcoming brochure.
Lightfall Interactive of Evanston, IL for providing the digital images of current artwork for our website.
Gary Mankus for video eight camcorder.

Shereen Boury for designing our newsletter.
Dan Fensin of Blackman Kallick Bartelstein, 300 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago 60606 for donating audit and tax services to us.
George Gehrken for computer maintenance.
Jim Maurer of Sir Speedy at 226 East Ontario, Chicago, IL 60611 (312-280-4781) for donating part of the printing costs of this newsletter.
Rebecca Targ for designing our exhibition invitations.

Questionaire

Please take the time to fill out and submit this anonymous questionnaire. We need feed back from you in order to determine who we serve, how to expand our services and to better inform our funders.

Note

If you have a disability and need any accommodation in order to be part of any of our events, please call 312-328-0038 one week prior to selected program.

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