The Heartland

Women Artists of the West celebrates 53 years of art with a new exhibition at a historic venue in Kansas.

On July 22, the Women Artists of the West celebrates its 53rd national exhibition in Newton, Kansas. This region is often called America’s Heartland, which refers to its traditional way of life, its self-sufficiency and its abundance of farming. But like a heart in a chest, it also refers to the central location—Newton is not far from the geographic center of the United States in Lebanon, Kansas.

Mary Ann Cherry, The Gossips, oil, 20 x 16”

“We’re right in the middle, right there in the Heartland of the country,” says Women Artists of the West event chair Joey Frisillo. “We strive to have every show in a different locale, but this one is going to be very fun because of where it is and what that means for everyone being right in the middle of everything.”

This year’s show, which runs through September 15, is subtitled No Place Like Home, a small reference to The Wizard of Oz.The exhibition takes place at Newton’s Carriage Factory Art Gallery, which was started in 1983 in a historic carriage factory. This year the gallery will celebrate its 40th anniversary, which will add to the festive atmosphere brought in by the Women Artists of the West. In addition, the gallery will offer carriage rides for members and guests.

Barrett Edwards, Last Rays, oil on canvas, 20 x 16”

his year’s exhibition will feature works from 119 artists in the group, which boasts more than 300 members. “It’s a special, special group of artists,” Frisillo adds.

Landscape painter Barrett Edwards will be showing Last Rays, a sunset painting with magnificent reflections. “This Lowcountry marsh scene caught me because it presented so many of the aspects that make me feel at peace,” she says. “In these hectic times, I feel it is ever more important to engage ourselves in intimacy with nature. Being aware of the natural beauty that is available to us brings a sense of calm we all need. If we can’t get outside ourselves, we can certainly bring nature inside via a painting.”

Kim L. Middleton will present Primping, an oil of a single bird. Middleton has worked with birds most of her life and applies her experience to her avian paintings. “My intent is to spark interest in birds to promote their conservation,” says Middleton. “I strive to bring life and a personality to my bird subjects. Focusing on their uniqueness and allowing the viewer to witness a part of their daily life.”

Mary Ann Cherry is the president of Women Artists of the West and she will be presenting The Gossips, showing three birds chattering away. “Our yard is full of birds and birdsong, and the redwing blackbirds are regular visitors. I also see these harbingers of spring at a popular wildlife refuge. I decided to paint them in their natural, native habitat instead of at our birdfeeders and I wanted to portray them doing a bit of ‘storytelling,’” Cherry says.

Kim L. Middleton, Primping, oil on canvas, 12 x 9”

Talavera Shadows is a floral still life from Carolyn C. Bell, who fell in love with the Southwest young when her family moved to Texas. “I have always been attracted to the colors, the light and the unique architecture of this special area of the country,” she says. Geraniums are a favorite flower of the artist and her patio is decorated with Mexican Talavera pottery. “The combination of the flowers, the colorful pot design, with the light casting shadows against an adobe wall just begged to be painted,” she adds.

For more information and a detailed schedule of events visit www.womenartistsofthewest.org. —

Women Artists of the West’s 53rd National Exhibition — No Place Like Home
When: Through September 15, 2023
Where: Carriage Factory Art Gallery
Information: 128 E. Sixth Street, Newton, KS 67114
www.womenartistsofthewest.org