I am absolutely thrilled about Through the Flower's collaboration with Penn State to ensure the future of our K-12 Dinner Party Curriculum, which will be maintained on-line in perpetuity. In addition, TTF is supporting Kutztown University's Dinner Party Institute for the next five years, which will provide teachers with the opportunity to enrich themselves (and consequently, their students) by an immersion in the principles of the curriculum, principles that dovetail with my own, content-based approach to both art making and art education. 

Many people do not understand that content is rarely stressed in most university studio art programs, which focus primarily upon form and technique. Thus my surprise when I studied K-12 art education in preparation for the development of The Dinner Party curriculum, because for educators like Dr. Marilyn Stewart (the leader of the curriculum team), issues of content, gender and diversity are central.    

Moreover, guaranteeing the future of the curriculum through our partnerships with Penn State and KU represents a significant step in my lifelong goal of ensuring that women's achievements become a permanent part of our cultural and intellectual heritage. With the completion of these achievements, TTF will now be able to concentrate on strengthening its role as a resource and study center for Feminist art and my instrumental role in its development, and will be able to offer greater access to its art and historic archives to scholars, students and researchers. It seems appropriate to celebrate this milestone in Through the Flower's history, and on October 30th, we are planning a day of events in Albuquerque, including a free public panel, and a fundraising concert and dinner. 

I hope that many of our supporters, board members past and present, and project participants will join us in October. It is because of your steadfast support that Through the Flower has been able to achieve so much. We are deeply appreciative of both Mary Gauthier and Jennifer James 101 for their generous support of Through the Flower. And if you cannot come to New Mexico for our events, please consider sponsoring someone who wants to attend but cannot afford it.           

Given all the exciting events that are coming up, I have decided to communicate more often with our community of friends and supporters. I will be sending out the "Chicago Corner" along with a calendar four times a year, which will replace the Through the Flower newsletter.  

This is just one of a number of exciting changes at TTF. After 38 years as Artistic Director, I am stepping down and will join the board as the Founding Director. A number of long time board members have retired as we move into a new phase of the organization's life. The board will become smaller and more New Mexico based. Judy Steinberg Kovler will become the president, and arts activist Patrice Emrie will join the new board, which also includes long-time feminist and writer Martha Burk.

I would like to extend my thanks to loyal board members Marcia Levine, Penny Friedberg and Cindy Ewing along with Penny Harris, Toby Shor and Marilyn Stewart. And a special note of appreciation to Mary Ross Taylor whose thirty year dedication to TTF has been both unstinting and irreplaceable.

On Tuesday, July 12th, Through the Flower will present the second annual Minx Auerbach Education Award, at ACA Galleries in New York City.  The 2011 award will be presented to Deborah Filbin of Chicago Heights, IL for her exemplary implementation of The Dinner Party Curriculum in her 10-12^th grade art classes. 

Deborah Filbin's curriculum exemplifies the way in which The Dinner Party Curriculum can be adapted for use by teachers. Ms. Filbin drew upon six of the fourteen Encounters to develop a series of lessons for students enrolled in her Art Fundamentals class at Bloom High School in Chicago.  

The Minx Auerbach Award was established in honor of Minx Auerbach, to whom education was important. A former TTF board member, Minx mentored many younger women during her career and years of community service.  Presenting the award will be Minx's daughter and past TTF board member, Penny Auerbach Friedberg. In the ceremony at ACA Galleries, invited guests will join the participants in The Dinner Party Institute to celebrate the teaching accomplishments of Deborah Filbin and to honor the contributions of Minx Auerbach.  

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On July 10 - 15, the 2011 Summer Institute "An Invitation to The Dinner Party," sponsored by The Department of Art Education and Crafts at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with Through the Flower, and with co-sponsor, the National Art Education Association will be held at Kutztown University.  

The 2011 Institute continues a tradition that began when the first Summer Institute was held   in 2007, and The Dinner Party Curriculum was launched in April of 2009. Teachers who have implemented The Dinner Party Curriculum will be on hand to share their experiences with the Institute participants.  Throughout the week, participants will explore the Curriculum and some models for building upon the content of The Dinner Party. In addition, several guest presenters will guide participants in investigations of women artists, handwork traditions, feminist pedagogy, and issues of curriculum design.

A highlight of the week will be Tuesday's visit to the Brooklyn Museum's Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art to experience The Dinner Party with Judy Chicago as our guide, followed by a reception at The ACA Galleries honoring the 2011 recipient of the Minx Auerbach Award. 

While The Dinner Party Curriculum has been developed by and for art educators, it is also relevant for the study of history, social studies, English, and language arts.  We encourage participants to come to the institute with teachers from other subject areas whenever possible. 

The Institute is limited to 30 participants, but there are still a few slots available. For more information log on to http://www.thedinnerpartyinstitute.com/ or contact Dr. Marilyn Stewart, Institute Coordinator at the Department of Art Education and Crafts, Kutztown University.  

Phone: 484/646-4310 

Fax: 610/683-4502 

Email: Stewart@Kutztown.edu 

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It is with a sense of major accomplishment and a touch of sadness that I am announcing that I will be moving on from my position as Executive Director this fall.

I have held this position for over five years, and have been fortunate to participate in many exciting changes in an organization that has had such a historic and significant impact on Feminist art. When I first started in 2006, Through the Flower was starting to expand its public programming; we grew the exhibition program from two to four exhibits a year. 

We started a series of lectures honoring Feminist foremothers and invited major Feminist artists and contributors to publicly discuss how they wanted their artwork and contributions remembered in history. These lectures were held at locations featured on our New Mexico Women's Cultural Corridor Map.

It has been an honor to have worked one on one with the great Feminist icon, Judy Chicago, who has been a mentor, supporter and friend. It has been an absolute privilege to assist in presenting her vision to the world and I will carry this experience with me in my future endeavors.

I want to thank both past and present Board members that Through the Flower has been fortunate to have on its side. Their hard work and dedication has been the driving force behind TTF's success.

I know that we all will continue to support Through the Flower and Judy Chicago's vision, and look forward to the always exciting next chapter.

Best wishes to all.

Susannah Rodee  

Current Friends of Through the Flower

(May 2010 - May 2011)

Judy Chicago and Through the Flower thank everyone who has made contributions in the last 12 months. We also thank those Board members (both outgoing and present) for their continued support. Your support is important to us.