ChickSpeak

As an art historian, I am passionate about the woman artist and her place in art historical discourse. So this week I present three museums in the United States that have changed the way women are included, and represented in the art world as artists, curators, and everything in between.

If you happen to visit any of these three cities in the future (if you’re not already there), go and see what these unique and interesting places have to offer.

Don’t worry about feeling you have to “get” the art, because it’s not about that. Go for a new experience, for a quick recap in women’s history, for inspiration, for research, for some “culture”, or just for something to do. Who knows what you might learn. Oh, and pick me up a souvenir!

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, Brooklyn Museum

(Brooklyn, New York)

The Brooklyn Museum has weathered much controversy regarding feminist art from various media outlets, public figures, and institutions in the past, including a highly publicized debate between former Mayor Rudy Guiliani and artist Renee Cox regarding her photograph depicting Jesus as a nude black woman at the Last Supper (Google it, it’s fascinating stuff).

But none of this has stopped the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art from its mission. The Center is a recent addition to the Brooklyn Museum (it opened in 2007), and it strives to raise awareness and educate future generations about the social, political, religious and personal impact feminism has had on culture.

Judy Chicago’s highly praised, equally abhorred piece entitled The Dinner Party (which commemorates over one thousand notable women in history) has found a permanent home here, and it provides the focal point for the design of the Center, which I understand is quite worth the visit alone. What some find shocking or offensive others find inspiring, and honest. The Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art wants its visitors to ask questions, and engage in discussion about the art and what they see. The exciting part comes from forming your own opinion, so my question is this: what do you think?

Admission is based on a suggested contribution of $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and students (with valid I.D.), and children under 12 accompanied by an adult are admitted for free. The Center hosts artist’s talks, panel discussions and film screenings, and the website includes podcasts, video recordings and a blog, which can be reached by clicking the link on the left sidebar.

Follow them on Twitter or check out their website.

Georgia O’Keefe Museum

(Santa Fe, New Mexico)

The O’Keefe Museum opened in 1997 and is the only museum in the world dedicated to an internationally acclaimed woman artist (something both incredible and unheard of). Over one hundred diverse artists have been exhibited at the O’Keefe Museum, including Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock, feminist artist Sherrie Levine, and Pop Art extraordinaire Andy Warhol, but the true magnificence of this space is its commitment to O’Keefe and her own art, which spans over 3000 painted, drawn and sculpted works.

O’Keefe was one of very few women artists of her day that won renown before her death, and her work is a testament to her passion for the New Mexico landscape, and her keen understanding of abstraction. O’Keefe’s former Abiquiu home and studio is owned by the museum and is open for private tours on a very limited basis, but this is a more expensive venture and one that calls for lengthy travel beyond Santa Fe. The O’Keefe Museum hosts unique events such as theatrical productions, reading groups, and special interest talks, so check their calendar to see what might peak your interest.

General admission is $10, with varied pricing for New Mexico residents, seniors, children, and students. Fridays between 5-8pm are free.

Check out their website here.

National Museum of Women in the Arts

(Washington, D.C.)

Much like the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, the National Museum of Women in the Arts is the first and only museum of its kind. Established by Wilhelmina Cole Holladay and her husband Wallace in 1981, the once private, non-profit museum had to operate from temporary offices, using their home as gallery space for exhibitions.

The museum, which opened officially in 1987, now resides in a refurbished Masonic temple located blocks from the White House, and houses a collection of some 3000 works by women artists beginning as early as the 16^th century. Their highly comprehensive collection includes works by Camille Claudel (sculptor and contemporary of Auguste Rodin), Elisabeth Louise Vigee-LeBrun (famous for painting Marie Antoinette’s portraits), and Sonia Delaunay (the first living woman artist to have her own retrospective at the Louvre in 1964). So why not go with a friend, take a gander, pick a painting you like best, grab a bite to eat, and then see if the President is home?

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and youth 18 and under are admitted for free. Also, every first Sunday of the month is free.

Follow them on Twitter or check out their website. 

Jasmin is a recent graduate with a degree in art history and classics from Mount Allison University in Canada. Dividing her time between Ontario and California, Jasmin loves to travel and experience the little things in life. She wants eventually to swim with whale sharks, build a house, and learn a new language, but until then, writing, in all its forms, suits her just fine.