Recognizing Women’ s Work in the Center’s Permanent Collection

CURATOR: JENNIFER-NAVVA MILLIKEN

FEBRUARY 7 – OCTOBER 3, 2020

The Center for Art in Wood’s permanent collection represents more than forty years of research and study in the field of art, craft, and design in wood. International in scope and representing a wide range of disciplines, the Collection champions creativity, virtuosity, and vision.

Of the more than 1,200 works in the Center’s permanent collection, 105 were made solely by women. The first to be accessioned, in 1988, was Robyn Horn’s Sheoake Geode, 1987 [1995.01.01.087, OBJ 44]. In the thirty years since this acquisition, the representation of women artists in the collection has grown in proportion to the increasing numbers of women artists in the field.

During the 2019–20 year, the Center aligns its programming with the centenary of the Nineteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, from Congress’ passage of the amendment on June 4, 1919, to its ratification on August 18, 1920. While many in the women’s suffrage movement disenfranchised women of color, the leadership and activism of many African American suffragists was critical in the passage of the landmark amendment, which in effect did little to protect the access of women of color in the US political system. In recognition of this history, we reflect on the contributions of women to the advancement and practice of art in wood and the work that remains ahead of us as we strive to achieve equity and inclusivity among all practitioners in our field.

Please continue upstairs to view more of the Center’s permanent collection!