In 2017 the American Women Artists launched its 25 in 25 initiative to host 25 museum exhibitions over 25 years. The goal is to represent women artists on a greater scale in institutions, and through facilitating purchase awards with the venues to allow these artists the chance to join permanent museum collections. In 2022 the AWA juried exhibition, titled Breaking Through: The Rise of American Women Artists, will be hosted at Customs House Museum & Cultural Center in Clarksville, Tennessee, from March 5 through May 29.
Paige Wallis, Once I Was An Optimist, acrylic, 24 x 20"The show features 124 paintings and sculptures by members of the organization that are all available to purchase. Having a focus on women artists that is unrestricted in theme lets the exhibition have a wide range in medium, style and subject matter. Collectors will find everything from classic realism paintings to more abstracted sculpture.
Clockwise from top left: Debbie Korbel, Michael, terra cotta, mixed media, 28 x 24 x 22"; Lisa Gleim, Dancing With Fireflies, pastel and gold leaf, 36 x 24"; FELICIA, Expecting, bronze on a walnut turn base, 17 x 5 x 4"; Zoey Zamarripa, Kimberly, oil, 20 x 24"
Figurative works abound in the exhibition. Paige Wallis’ painting Once I Was An Optimist shows a woman with sunflowers growing up around her. Zoey Zamarripa’s profile painting Kimberly is a serene work of art, while Anat Michaeli has bright colors heavily featured in Alectrona. Cher Pruys captures the essence of her subject in the fun painting Catching Snowflakes. Debbie Korbel’s Michael, Louise Solecki Weir’s Lullaby for Earth and Sky Opus 4 and FELICIA’s Expecting also explore the human form, showing how a multitude of materials—such as terra cotta, polymer gypsum and bronze, respectively—can be transformed into something new.
Kim Kori, Double Jeopardy, bronze, 7¼ x 6½ x 4½"; Jammey Huggins, Finders Keepers, bronze, 17½ x 17 x 5½"Another popular subject is wildlife, such as in Lisa Gleim’s towering bear painting titled Dancing With Fireflies. Gleim is a signature member of American Women Artists and serves on its board of directors. She is the show chair for the exhibition at Customs House Museum. Dancing With Fireflies is a pastel and gold leaf work, which shows off her ability to capture gorgeous details while adding a sense of mystery and intrigue to the painting. Kim Kori’s Double Jeopardy features a lizard looking up at butterflies on a candlestick, while Jammey Huggins’ Finders Keepers is a beautifully sculptured raven holding a key to a treasure chest in its mouth, with some of the treasure coins below. 
Anat Michaeli, Alectrona, oil on linen, 24 x 24"Other artwork in the show includes the happy still life It’s Always Sunny by BF Reed that shows sunflowers and a yellow-and-white striped background; a ceramic by Lisa Battle titled Ritual II that shows off the beauty of firing; and another ceramic, Southern Kiss, by Nora Pineda, that is highlighted by the artist’s craftsmanship and design abilities through the painted surface.
From left: BF Reed, It’s Always Sunny, pastel, 27 x 19"; Lisa Battle, Ritual II, ceramic, 33 x 16 x 12"; Louise Solecki Weir, Lullaby for Earth and Sky Opus 4, polymer gypsum with oils, limited edition of 10, 18 x 7 x 6"
Cher Pruys, Catching Snowflakes, acrylic, 12 x 10"; Nora Pineda, Southern Kiss, ceramic, 6 x 5½ x 5"
Breaking Through: The Rise of American Women Artists will have an opening reception and awards ceremony on March 12. During this event the artists will learn who received the grand prize of $10,000 and other additional awards. American Art Collector returns as a proud media sponsor of the exhibition. —
Breaking Through: The Rise of American Women Artists
When: March 5-May 29, 2022; March 12, awards ceremony and opening reception
Where: Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, 200 S. Second Street, Clarksville, TN 37040
Information: www.americanwomenartists.org
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