The ceremony was inspiring. It was the Emmy's. It was the Academy Awards. I want to thank the Academy....
Well, OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I felt recognized and accomplished, a professional standing among other successful women artists.
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| WILD FLOWERS IN FIELD, 12"x 9", oil on canvas |
As each artist name was called, two of her works were displayed on a large screen. She approached the stage to receive a certificate and was encouraged to say something about her work or herself. Gasps! No one expected that we would have to say something about ourselves - ugh - artists talking about their art to a crowd of strangers. Run for the hills!
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| LONE TREE, 24" x 24", oil/mixed media on canvas |
But by the end of the day we felt a part of each others successes. It was inspiring to hear every one's story, to get a glimpse of individual journeys. Strength, encouragement, joy and beauty was exchanged.
It was a love fest, the mother load. It just doesn't get better than that.
Membership into this organization for professional women artists was founded in 1889 by five innovative women, Anita C. Ashley, Adele Fracis Bedell, Elizabeth S. Cheever, Edith Mitchel Prellwitz and Grace Fitz-Randolph. Early annual exhibitions included the notable Rosa Bonheur, Mary Cassatt, Suzanne Valadon and Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. As the organization grew, Louis Nevelson, Judy Chicago, Janet Fish, Marisol, Audrey Flack and Faith Ringgold and many other illustrious artists have been added to the roster of supporters.
NAWA has a permanent collection at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University, New Jersey and offers educational opportunities to its members and the general public.
