The American Women Artist’s organization is making waves with their upcoming exhibition and show American Women Artists: Pushing Forward Reaching Back,as part of their “25 in 25” initiative to feature 25 museum shows in 25 years. This year’s showcase, hosted at Brookgreen Gardens, is their seventh edition in uplifting and promoting women artists in a museum setting.
Attendees enjoy last year’s exhibition. Image courtesy of Customs House Museum & Cultural Center.
The festivities begin with the Symposium on Women in the Arts on Thursday, May 11. Prominent members in the arts community come together in discussion on topics that explore “how women can and do support each other along their career trajectory,” says AWA executive director Sandra Harris. “We like to hear from people exploring all the different phases of a career from early to later, and how they’ve been able to move along with the support of other people—women in particular.”
Following on Friday, May 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., a public reception will kick off the opening of the exhibition. The evening will have food, drink, entertainment and the opportunity to meet and greet with some of the participating artists. In addition, awards for a variety of artistic categories will be announced, including the coveted Grand Prize worth $10,000.
Amanda Markel, Aria, bronze, 10 x 10 x 4"
The entirety of the awards, worth $25,000, have been donated by several individuals, “which says a lot about people wanting to support women in the arts and funds going directly to artists,” Harris says. AWA Presenting Sponsors for the event include Edmund S. Twining III, Janet and Robert Lee Family Fund and generous anonymous donors.
The exhibition, open Saturday, May 13, will have just over 100 AWA members presenting a wide variety of subject matter in sculpture and painting mediums. Each astonishing piece of work was juried for “overall quality, museum-worthiness that illustrates mastery of technique, style and handling of subject matter,” Harris explains.
Barbara Dahlstedt, Color Runs Through My Veins, colored pencil and wax pastel, 18 x 24"
Harris also notes that the show includes “all levels of AWA memberships, like the Associate Members that may be early in their career, and Master Signature Members that have been doing this for decades. We love this because it connects all generations, and you don’t have to be a Master member to win the Grand Prize.”
All work will remain on display through June 23 at Brookgreen Gardens, known for their accredited zoo, botanical garden and museum—with a reputation for exhibiting quality sculpture. While the subject matter for the exhibition was not defined, leaving it open for artist choice, there will be an abundance of outdoor spaces depicted, thought to be inspired by the impressive landscape and grounds of Brookgreen Gardens.
Linda Post, Tempest, oil, 24 x 36"
Event details, images of exhibited works and purchasing information is available on the AWA website. The Symposium and the Opening Reception are free to the public with reservation. There will also be virtual events including demonstrations and studio tours, and the AWA will produce a full color catalog with an introduction by Jann Haynes Gilmore, PhD. —
American Women Artists: Pushing Forward Reaching Back
When: Symposium on Women in the Arts: May 11 Opening Reception: May 12; Exhibition: May 13-July 23, 2023
Where: Brookgreen Gardens, 1931 Brookgreen Garden Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Information: (314) 527-0599, www.americanwomenartists.org
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