It was once remarked that the only way for a woman to be involved in a painting was for her to disrobe and be a model. Thankfully, things have changed – well, mostly. Anyone who has taken art in school can list at least a dozen famous painters in the Western world, but few can name a handful of female artists. There are several theories about this, from historic limitations on education for women, to poor gallery representation. Even now, according to PBS.org/newshour, there are more women in art schools than men, but only about 11% of them seem to enjoy national representation in galleries. If you’re a female artist in Africa, things are different. Women and men are equally represented, and female artists make up 50% of the most expensive art collections there.
Durango Arts Center is proud to present a new exhibit on May 5 by the Looking Glass Collective. This is a talented and highly skilled group of 14 established local female artists. They are as passionate about the outdoors as they are about their art. I encourage you to come enjoy their work and take advantage of two workshops offered by their members Juanita Nelson and Yvonne Holland.
The next time you want to impress your friends here’s a list of 10 female artists for you to keep in your back pocket:
- Mary Cassat and Berthe Morisot are two female French impressionist painters whose art now rests in permanent museum collections around the world. They helped pave the way for this genre.
- If you live in the Southwest, you know Georgia O’Keeffe, known as the mother of American Modernism. Many think she was a dyed-in-the-wool desert artist but she only spent half of her life here – she spent her first 50 years out East. Her desert home, Ghost Ranch, is near lake Abiquiu in New Mexico not far from here. I recommend a visit.
- Also of note is Frieda Kahlo, the Mexican painter famous for “Time Flies,” self-portraits and her classic unibrow. She had a remarkable life story of grief and loss, and painted her pain away through her studies of the natural world.
- A contemporary Japanese artist who has taken the world by storm is Yayoi Kusama, and if you don’t know her name you may know her art: She painted prolific polka dots and took her love of repeating patterns to interactive infinity rooms. She laid the foundation for places like Meow Wolf and many more – environments that encourage the questioning of reality and perception.
- Also check out: Wangechi Mutu. From Kenya, she works in multimedia and enjoys a global presence in galleries and online. Kay Walkingstick. She is a Cherokee landscape artist who deep dives into metaphysics and spirituality through her work. Rose B. Simpson. Living at the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, Simpson depicts modern imagery including cars in her fantastic multimedia work.
- Two of my local favorites are Veryl Goodnight and Miki Harder. They are both as talented and prolific as they are kind. If you’ve seen a sculpture or a painting of a raven around town, most likely it was made by Harder. Goodnight just kicked off her museum tour of Sled Dogs of North America at the DAC and taught our recent painting class. We are lucky to have such local talent here in Durango, and the presence of beautiful female artists around the world.
- Disney’s High School Musical, Jr. and Leap Day, a play by Hans Christian Andersen. 7 p.m. May 5 and 6; 2 p.m. May 6 and 7. Tickets $10/$15.
- Night of Improv: May 12: Tickets $10/$15.
- Mr. B’s Vaudeville Show: 7 p.m. May 20. Tickets start at $20, available at www.secretcircussociety.com.
- That’s So Durango Adult Variety Show: 7:30 p.m. May 26 and 27. Tickets $10/$15.
- The Durango Wine Experience Walkabout Tasting: 4-7 p.m. April 28. Multiple locations, including the DAC. Visit https://durangowine.com/ for tickets.
- The Looking Glass Collective exhibit “Art Inspired by Nature,” opening reception 5-7 p.m. May 5. Exhibit runs through June 16. Free, cash bar. Pastel Workshops by: Juanita Nelson, 4:30-7 p.m. May 23, $90; Yvonne Holland, May 30 and 31, $90.
- Shop the Artisan’s Market: Open noon-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
- Summer camps for theater and visual arts are now open for online registration. Scholarships available.
Buy tickets, donate, become a member for discounts and to be a patron of the arts and register for classes at DurangoArts.org and find things fast at https://linktr.ee/durangoartscenter.
Brenda Macon has been executive director of Durango Arts Center since 2018.
