 GALLERY |
685 N MILWAUKEE AVE CHICAGO IL 60642
TEL: 312 738 0400 |
 |
|
 |
about us |
|
 |
|
Privacy Policy Copyright 1998-2008 © Woman Made Gallery |
|
|
N E W S L E T T E R S - Winter 2004 |
|
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 Executive Director: Letter from the Executive Director Welcome to the winter issue of the WMG newsletter. I wish I could just honestly express my good wishes for peace and a happy New Year to all – the usual words at this time of year – but they all ring so false in this time of war. How can I have peace and wish you peace when I know what is going on in this world? I know that so many of us feel helpless and so ineffective. What can we do to make changes, to affect the course we are on? What can I do as an artist or writer to not feel so helpless? What is peace and where does it start? What is war and who makes war? Why is it easier for men to make war than peace? Who benefits? Why do we hide and stay in denial about what is going on? Why don't we want to know the truth? Are we all complicit?
For the sake of peace we can't be quiet about the truth. I strongly believe that art is a powerful tool for social change and I feel responsible and a great need to provide a platform at WMG for those artists whose work expresses social criticism. Many exhibitions that we have hosted since the start of this organization have dealt with issues like domestic violence, prejudice, censorship and traditions. Our first group exhibition in this new year is WAR FORUM, with visual and written work by women and men, juried by Maureen Burdock and Cynthia Green. Please read one of the accepted poems for the War Forum exhibition in this newsletter. Our first solo show in 2004 is WAR GAMES with mixed media work by Chicago artist, Mary Ellen Croteau. Her statement and one of her images are also included in this edition. Both exhibitions open on January 23rd and are on display through February 19th. Artist Jere Van Syoc's slide lecture "BLOOD, WAR and ART" scheduled for Monday, February 2nd uses the art historical record to trace the human emotional investment in the rituals of war. The presentation concludes with a discussion of alternatives to blood/war rituals. Peace doesn’t mean to be quiet! Peace starts with me. I am a peacemaker. I want peace in my house. I want peace at work and in my community. I want peace in the land. I want peace on this earth. I want to respect my family, my friends, neighbors, and strangers on the bus. I want to respect the earth. I want to communicate thoughtfully. I want to do things that help others to be peaceful. I want to be kind and considerate. I want to give. I want to help those that are in need so they can feel peace. I want to be informed so I can make good choices. I want to be involved and active to help make change for a better world. I want to do all those things so I can respect myself. Peace starts with me, and the actions I do. Peace doesn’t mean to be quiet! My heartfelt wish to you and me is to be active peacemakers, to make all efforts to be informed through unbiased sources and to do something each and every day that makes this world a better place, one action at a time. -Beate C. Minkovski (right) ‘The Legacy’, digital painting, 16”x20” - from the War Forum exhibition’ by John F. Walté  Board & Staff News Welcome to our newest Board member, Rhonda Wheatley, a Chicago artist whose paintings reflect her passion for words. She teaches art and has worked in marketing and writing/editing, both corporate and non-profit. Rhonda received her BA in English from Loyola University and an MA in Writing from DePaul University. Board members, Marian Jones and Mo Cahill had to resign from the WMG board for personal reasons. We give our sincere thanks to both women for their good work and valued input in important Gallery decisions. Marian Jones will continue her involvement on the Advisory Board and Mo Cahill promised to continue her support in various areas, including design and printing matters. We would like to introduce WMG Advisory Board member, Georgina Flores who is a resident of West Bucktown and a neighbor to Woman Made Gallery. Her areas of specialty are marketing and communications. She received a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Missouri. A supporter of the arts, Georgina believes all forms of artistic expression bring culture, energy and economic advantages to their communities and should have the opportunity to be performed and showcased. Georgina and her husband, 1st Ward Alderman Manuel Flores, are working to help ensure that the needs of local artists are met, that community members become more aware of them, and that more artistic preservation areas are developed in our neighborhoods. We welcome Georgina Flores and are looking forward to her help in our neighborhood outreach efforts. Letters to Woman Made Gallery: Letters to Woman Made Gallery 8/10/2003 Dear Madam, My name is Ada Onyejike and I am an artist from Nigeria who directs an NGO (non-governmental organization) that trains young girls in the visual arts. The NGO has a membership of about 865 girls from all parts of Nigeria. I went through your (web)site and would love to become a member. I really want to connect with you since I am a woman activist and deal with many female artists, both young and old. I would also love to work as a volunteer in my country in order to distribute information on art to the Nigerian public about the wonderful work you are doing. Thank you, Ada Onyejike Ada Onyejike after her initial letter to WMG, continued her emails to us. She informed us about an arts organizations in Nigeria that serves girls and young women. Here is her report, shortened and edited with her permission. The Girl Child and the Arts in Nigeria: The Girl Child and the Arts in Nigeria by Ada Onyejike - Director GCAF “The girl child in Nigeria is the most vulnerable to societal ills. They are the ones who have to stay at home and work while the male children go out to play; they are the ones that should drop out of school for the boys to be trained when there's no money; they are the ones easily raped and cannot talk because they will be blamed for it and become condemned for life; yet they are the group brought up with the stereotype that they are weaker vessels, so they lack self-esteem and confidence to take up challenges".
The Girl Child Art Foundation (GCAF) - with a membership strength of about 2,800 girls between 8-18 years of age is aimed at promoting female education through the visual arts by providing basic knowledge and skills in all aspects of the visual arts. GCAF plays an important role in influencing the creative and artistic development of young children at a critical point in their childhood. GCAF positively and progressively affects children's creative and imaginative abilities, especially when supportive environmental influences maybe lacking. GCAF creates awareness and advocates for the rights of women and girls. It develops the creative abilities in young women through continuous practical training classes led by trained professionals. The vision and philosophy is to develop a culture that delivers professionalism, excellence, independence and social empowerment to young girls in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Voice of a Nigerian Girl (VONG) is a project initiated by GCAF aimed at giving the girl child a voice, increasing AIDS prevention by training girls to become peer leaders and educators and helping young girls create HIV/AIDS awareness through their creative abilities. During the recent inauguration of VONG members of GCAF and other girls from Enugu and Anambra State in the south-eastern part of Nigeria exhibited 306 artworks including paintings, drawings, poster designs, cartoons, bead- making (crafts), and textile designs through tie-dye. It was the first of its kind in Nigeria where works done by girls of 8-18yrs were exhibited. Through their artistic expression the girls hope to stop the social ills against womanhood.” Art Auction 2004 – #1 Fundraiser of the Year!: Art Auction 2004 – #1 Fundraiser of the Year! We’ve moved…the Auction location and day! There are so many ways you can be involved and all of them are essential for the success of this event:
If you already know what you want to do, contact us at (773) 489-8900 to sign up or if you want more information about the event, call or email us at gallery@womanmade.org. Workshops Exhibiting Professionalism Date: Saturday, February 7, 2004 from 10 a.m.-noon Career Day Date: Saturday, March 13, 2004 from 10am-4pm Exhibiting Professionalism Manual Women’s Art Group Dates: January 25 - February 22 - March 28, 2004 Special Thanks To... (Please check our next newsletter if your name is not yet included here)
Woman Made appreciates the following individuals and organizations for their ongoing support of the Gallery: Our Board Members for their continued hard work, devotion and board pledges Our Business Sponsors Our Donors Why Political Art?
“Why can’t you just make pretty pictures?” Yes, my mother has said that to me. Indeed. Why can’t I just make pretty pictures? I can’t because I think. I can’t because I read. Because I live in this world. And I can’t because I identify with those people who are having their lives destroyed so that Americans can keep driving SUVs fueled with cheap gas. I identify with those women who are being murdered by husbands, lovers and other strangers. I identify myself with the great mass of people in the world who are held hostage to the greed and power and warmongering of the few. I make political art because I can’t NOT make art that says what I feel, that rages against those who are trying to destroy us. Art is my voice. Then I am asked: Does it really make any difference to anyone? Aren’t you just wasting time “preaching to the converted?” Of course it makes a difference. If it didn’t, people wouldn’t even bother asking me that. They ask because what I say challenges them to also say something, and some would rather silence me than accept the responsibility themselves. I consider it a victory when I have upset someone’s complacency. And YES, preaching to the converted is also a worthy goal. I consider it a victory when someone who sees my art has their own feelings validated and reinforced. We all need to know we are not alone, we are not crazy. We need to find ways to bridge the isolation that is being imposed on us in contemporary American culture. Of course political art makes a difference. If it didn’t, governments wouldn’t be so afraid of it. There is a grand art history that concerns itself with political issues, including DADA, social realism, and even abstract expressionism - which was initially a response to WWII and most particularly to the development and use of atomic weapons. (Think of that the next time you see a Jackson Pollock painting.) What would the world be without Käthe Kollwitz’s and Goya’s prints, Picasso’s Guernica; Dorthea Lange’s photos; Sequeiros, Rivera, and Orozco’s murals, and other great and wondrous images of people in their struggle for life? We would be left with the stupid advertisements to tell us what our life is about. - December 2003 (right) ‘Untitled (War I)’, assemblage, 18”x18”x24” - from the ‘War Games’ Solo Exhibition – Jan. 23 – Feb. 19, 2004 Online: Peace Organizations
"For generations, women have served as peace educators, both in their families and in their societies. They have proved instrumental in building bridges rather than walls." – UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan The following peace websites and many more are listed here: www.nonviolence.org/links www.codepinkalert.org/working_for_peace.shtml- CODEPINK Women for Peace www.womenwagingpeace.net - Woman Waging Peace www.wilpf.org/main.html - Women's International League for Peace and Freedom www.international-alert.org/women - Women Building Peace www.madre.org/index.html - MADRE is an international women’s human rights organization that works in partnership with women’s community-based groups in conflict areas worldwide "Perhaps the Universal Sisterhood is necessary before the Universal Brotherhood is possible.” - Bertha von Suttner, June 1912 (right) 'Peace Buttons' by Arlene Gloria Hirsch available at WMG’s Giftshop RHINO Reading at WMG RHINO, an annual literary magazine featuring poetry and short prose, is published by The Poetry Forum, Inc., which has existed for 27 years in the Chicagoland area and recently extended operations to central Illinois. On Sunday, March 14, 2004 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. RHINO editors will be reading and discussing international poetry, specifically foreign language poems and translations that have appeared in RHINO. Listeners attending the reading will have an opportunity to write poetry "collage" style. Using back issues of RHINO, collage poets will take different lines from different poems and create a new poem - a collage poem! Come join the fun. RHINO offers monthly poetry workshops at Evanston Public Library in Evanston, IL, and at the Normal Public Library in Normal, IL, as well as free public readings at bookstores, educational institutions, libraries, and galleries in Illinois. For more information or to order copies of RHINO 2002, visit RHINO's website, or write to RHINO, P.O. Box 591, Evanston, IL 60204, enclosing a self-addressed stamped envelope for contest or submission guidelines. The reading is free and open to the public, a $5.00 donation to Woman Made Gallery is suggested. Call for Art and Words for Her Mark 2005: Call for Art and Words for Her Mark 2005 It’s already time to think of entering artwork and/or poetry into the Her Mark 2005 calendar competition. HER MARK 2005 is an exhibition in book form, one that travels outside the Gallery walls and remains in people’s hands throughout the year. The entry deadline is May 19th, 2004. Send a self-addressed-stamped-envelope to request guidelines for art and/or poetry or get the guidelines from the Download Page Poetry Corner Wilderness The particles of voiceless bodies This desert has lost If I only could Desierto Las partículas de cuerpos sin voz En el miedo tripulante En el roce de nuestro planeta con Dios Si pudiera (The poem in English and Spanish is included in the War Forum exhibition)
Seeding the Snow Seeding the Snow is a journal of women's writing and artwork that celebrates the mid-western landscape. We are always looking for submissions of poetry and prose related to the connection between women and nature in the mid-west. We also are interested in artwork that reproduces well in black and white. To subscribe, please send $16 to Seeding the Snow, 2534 N. St. Louis, Chicago, IL 60647. More information is available at www.seedingthesnow.org The Women's Caucus for Art The Chicago Women's Caucus for Art (CWCA) is a local chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art (WCA), a national, professional organization for women in the visual arts. For over 30 years, WCA has championed the contributions of women in the arts, worked to increase opportunities for women artists and increased the visibility of women artists. Through WCA, members have developed a communication network of artists, art historians, students and educators, gallery and museum professionals, and others involved in the visual arts. WCA was originally a caucus of the College Art Association (CAA), which is a professional organization for college art teachers and scholars, and subsequently the WCA and its chapters became independent non-profit organizations. WCA remains affiliated with CAA and each year the WCA hosts a national conference in conjunction with the CAA annual meeting. At the WCA conference each year several women are honored by WCA and are presented the Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award at a luncheon ceremony. WCA conferences offer panels, programs, workshops, and visits to local museums, galleries and studios. The exchange and dialogue among members from across the country provide a basis for ongoing professional relationships and the development of inter-regional exhibitions and programs. The WCA is an accredited NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) affiliated with the United Nations. In 1995, a 100-woman official delegation of the WCA participated in the Fourth World Conference on the Status of Women, in Beijing, China. WCA's archives are housed at Rutgers University. The history and achievements of WCA and its members hopefully provide a basis for new generations to further the women's movement in contemporary art. Please support the WCA and CWCA with your membership and visit their local and national websites at www.chicagowca.com and www.nationalwca.com. Questions may be emailed to Judith Roth at drawstoo@aol.com Artist Profile: Yolanda López:
Artist Profile: Yolanda López Chicana visual artist, activist and scholar Yolanda M. López was born in 1942 in San Diego, California. In the 60s she became part of the San Francisco State University Third World Strike and worked as a community artist in the Mission District with a group called Los Seis de la Raza. With a B.A. in Painting and Drawing from San Diego State University, Yolanda López received her M.F.A. in 1979 from the University of California San Diego. One of her most famous paintings is The Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe from the Virgin of Guadalupe Series. Classically trained, López’ work includes installation (Things I Never Told My Son About Being a Mexican) and video work, "When You Think of Mexico," on the topic of cultural stereotypes in print and electronic media. "It is important for us to be visually literate; it is a survival skill," Lopez says. "The media is what passes for culture in contemporary U.S. society, and it is extremely powerful. It is crucial that we systematically explore the cultural mis-definition of Mexicans and Latin Americans that is presented in the media." López views her art as a tool for political and social change. (left) ‘Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe’ (1978) oil pastel on paper, 32” x 24” by Yolanda López Please check our WOMAN MADE GALLERY CALENDAR for all events throughout the year. Please + Thank You We would like to thank the following individuals who have become members or renewed their memberships and all those who have donated money, items, time and talents. We apologize for any misspellings and appreciate if you would let us know. Please check our next newsletter if your name is not yet included here.
Karen Abbott, Verda Abernathy, Jana Anderson, Jennifer Anderson, Judith Anderson, Ulla Anobile, Jahan Ara, Art Space, Selena Derry Awoleye, Hronn Axelsdottir, Mary Babcock, Kim Bagwill, Melissa Banks, Ann Berg, Natasha Beshenkovsky, Sylvia Betts, Stephanie Rose Bird, Christie Blizard, Shauna Angel Blue, Michele Bock, Denise Bonesteel, Carol Briggs, Jill Buckingham, Diana Buckley, Andrea Wildrick Buckvold, Nancy Buik, Cathyann Burgess, Mary Burke, Karen Elise Burnnett, Catherine Cajandig, Margaret Biggs Caulfield, Jeanne Norman Chase, Rose Ann Chasman, Mary Ruth Coffey, Mona Coleman, Wendy Coleman, RaeAnn Collins, Diane Cooper, Jean Cozier, Mary Ellen Croteau, Patricia Cudd, Stephanie Cunningham, Sharon Davie-Barrett, Dana Daydodge, Peggy Dee, Jane Moore DeGraff, Nancy Delman, Julie Derby, Mary Ditto, Henri Doner-Hedrick, Karen Egerer, Norma Essex, Susan Fecho, Theresa Fernandez (Lakeview Art Supply), Susan Fireside, Anita and David Flores, Georgina Flores, Susan Fong, Claire Foreman, Patricia Karen Gagic, Dayanara Garcia, Krystyna Gaweda, Krista Genovese, Sadie Gerbic, Nicole Gotthelf, Linda Green, Paula Greer, Diane Grigg, Mary Haag, Sarah Hahne, Jeannette Hamman, Rachael Hangleitner, Lynn Hanley, Cam Harper, Pamela Hart, Nancy Elaine Harvey, Marion Hayden, Constance Heiman, Maureen Herlehy, Andree Lisette Herz, Margaret Hodge, Deborah Hughes, Amy Huisinga, Lorraine Inzalaco, Indira Freitas Johnson, Kristen Johnson, Marian Jones, Sarah Kaiser, Juliana Kang, Naomi Kasumi, Pat Kaufman, Makeba Kedem-Dubose, Michele Kellner, Pauline Kochanski, Laura Kochevar, Rosalie Koldan & Shirley Guay, Phillipa Lack, Dale and Diane Lagerholm, Nichole Masani Landfair, Sharon Lee, Linda Lemon, Ye Liu, Maria Lobo, Christine London, Robin Malpass, Regina Maniaci, Barbara Marder-Gately, Elizabeth Marino, Julie Martin, Lauren Mathews, Georgette Mayes, Cassie Mazziotta, Robin McCauley, Kathleen McHugh, Jane McLoone, Tiffany Melin, Roberta Mezinskas, Margaret Dubay Mikus, Ellen Miles, Barbara Miller-Kapp, Pat Murphy, Cathleen Nagle & Marilyn Maas, CatherineCella Neapolitan, Victoria Ness, Sharyl Noday, Letitia Noel, Beate Nolan, Olea Nova, Laura O'Hern, Open Studio Project, Lenore Orlowska-Warrren, Joyce Owens, Louise Pappageorge, Jacqueline Patinkin, Carol Parker, Jean Patton, Joy Pease, Danielle Pelletier, Corinne Peterson, Orick Peterson, Julie Pitzen, Kim Marie Pruitt, Cherry Rahn, Ellen Reinkraut, Alice Revelski, Tatiana Revskaja, Nancy Richards-Davis, Krista Robinson, Larissa Rolley, Judith Roth, Alexandra Rozenman, Martha Rusk, Deborah Schlouch, Elizabeth Schraft, Seema Shah, Kerry Shea, Diana Simon, Dr. Violetta Simov, Liron Sissman, Rachel Slick, Tammy Soper, Maria Spargur, Rosa Maria Staben, Ann Starr, Lynn St. Cloud, Karen St.John-Vincent, Melvina Stemley, Eden Stern, Diane Stevens, Andrea Stivers, Agneta Stoken, Robin Strand, Jane Strasma, Allison Svoboda, Linda Swift, Anne Corwin Taft, Carol Tarnoff, Susan Tecktiel, Sonja Tellison, Jo Ann Terry, Elsbeth & Otto Thilenius, Patti Abraham Thobe, Yolanda Tooley, Mary Tokar, Cherryl Troy, Marilyn Avery Turner, Gale Vance, Julie VanSant, Liz Vercruysse, Petra Voegtle, Judy Weeden, Jennifer Weigel, Amanda Weir, Catherine Wells, Johanna Williams, Roberta Zabel, Martha Zackey, Alexandra Zonis (right) ‘Seek Trading Cards’ by Carol Parker. Boxed deck of 36 assorted images, signed and numbered title card & collector's index available at WMG’s Giftshop Volunteers We appreciate the help by our volunteers and thank them for their valuable contributions. Karen Abbott, Roberta Reb Allen, Megan Beard, JuneFelicia Bennett, Diana Buckley, Pamela Callahan, Mo Cahill, Margaret Biggs Caulfield, Jean Cozier, Sandy Wong Darroch, Kathryn Ferrell, George Gehrken, Paula Greer, Angela Canada Hopkins, Margo Jeanchild, Beth Laurin, Lauren Mathews, Margaret Dubay Mikus, Dina Petrakis, Karen Rechtschaffen, Ann Regan, Valentin Revskoy, Wilma Stevens, Amy Stoeffler, Rhonda Wheatley, Marta Wojcik Business Support for WMG – Please support our Sponsors We gratefully acknowledge sponsorship of our website by Good’s of Evanston, an arts and framing business since 1903. WMG members receive a 10% discount on all regularly priced items. Just present your membership card.
Thank you to Lynn Anderson and Courtney Bell from Artspace who are our sponsors for the 7th International Open invitation. Artspace is an open art studio for the artist within to discover a new medium of self expression. Through paint, sketch, collage or journal, this studio offer a space to explore. Upcoming seminar: "Challenging your Creative Myths” is scheduled for mid-January. Artspace is located on 1608 N. Milwaukee #1012, Chicago, IL 60647 - Call 773-292-1448 for more information. WMG Wish List
Donated items should be in workable condition and are tax-deductible. Sponsor An Exhibit Or Purchase Award: Sponsor An Exhibit Or Purchase Award Please become an exhibit sponsor or give an exhibit purchase award for future shows. An example of exhibit sponsorship is providing money for printing and mailing expenses of invitations. Your name would be printed on the invitations and in our newsletter. You might also want to give a purchase prize for a select exhibition. This means that you would commit to buying one artwork from one exhibition. Your name and /or company would be credited on all printed materials and on our Web site. For more information contact WMG at (773) 489-8900. Member Discounts Please check our MEMBER'S DISCOUNT PAGE for businesses that give discounts to our members. Businesses We Support EZMAIL services PSN - Progressive Systems Network Order/Reservations Please use our MAIL-IN ORDER FORM or visit our ONLINE SECURE SITE where you can order various items, like Her-story T-shirts, WMG mugs, the Big Fish CD, Her Mark 2004 calendar/datebook or register for workshops and pay with Visa or Mastercard. Membership/Volunteer Form Please go to our MEMBERSHIP PAGE to find out how you can support our efforts with your membership and volunteer services. Regular membership is only $35 per year and can be charged with Visa or Mastercard from our Secure Site. Member Discounts Please check our MEMBER'S DISCOUNT PAGE for businesses that give discounts to our members. Call for Artists These are the options for obtaining guidelines for group exhibitions: 1. Send a self-addressed-stamped-envelope with title of exhibition to: Woman Made Gallery, 2418 W Bloomingdale, Chicago, IL 60647. 2. Download the entry form from: Here. 3. Email gallery@womanmade.org to receive an email version of the entry form if you wish to submit digital files* Newsletter Contributions Woman Made News is produced quarterly. Send newsletter contributions to Mary Ann Anthony, Woman Made Gallery, 2418 West Bloomingdale, Chicago, IL 60647. You may e-mail your entries to gallery@womanmade.org. Woman Made Gallery reserves the right to edit articles for clarity and brevity. Entries for the Spring 2004 Newsletter must be received by February 15, 2004. Click here to read our previous newsletters. |
May 28, 2005
WebSite Design by Galganov