Opening Reception:
October 7, 2005 from 6-9pm

Entries were juried by Kymberly N. Pinder, Ph.D. who is an associate professor and the graduate program head in Art History, Theory and Criticism at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

In her juror's statement Ms.Pinder observes: "In choosing the works in this exhibition, I have attempted to create a group show that has a number of coherent themes related to the social, historical, political and aesthetic issues of African diasporic people. I allowed the entries and my interests together to shape the show. Many of these themes came out of the works themselves. During the selection process, I looked for works of art that spoke to each other as I visualized an installation that would be both pleasing to the eye and thought-provoking. I have always enjoyed exhibitions that have a wide-range of media, something for everyone, so I made a great effort to include sculpture, photographs, fiber, paintings, prints and ceramics. This diversity of materials serves as a metaphor for the diversity found among the artists also. These women represent the diaspora in where they come from, as well as in the ideas they are expressing."

The exhibition opens on October 7th with an artist reception from 6 - 9 pm at Woman Made Gallery.

Exhibiting Artists: Linda Ammons, Elizabeth Axtman, Sunshine Best, Anita L. Bowden, Monica J. Brown, Heather Davis, Raquel Dowdy, Colette Gaiter, Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga, Aziza Claudia Gibson-Hunter, Tabetha Handy, Monica Harris, Juarez Hawkins, Shannon Hill, Candace Hunter, Teresa Jenkins, Virginia Jose, Nzuji De Magalhaes, Luisa Menano, N. Masani Muhammad, Joyce Owens, Donna Radcliffe, Deborah E. Roberts, S. Denise Rouse, Duhirwe Rushemeza, Nena St. Louis, Kasha Stewart, Scheherazade Tillet, Constance White, Alison Williams, Tamasha Williamson, Jessica Wimbley

Image: "Post Civil War/Pre Civil Rights Pattern #10" by Shannon Hill

The usual self-portrait silent auction features portraits that honor deceased artists. A panel discussion, "The Future of Sapphire and Crystals" with slides of Rhonda Wheatley, Juarez Hawkins and others will take place on Sunday, October 16 from 2- pm.

Artwork from the 'Black, White and Blues' Invitational will be on exhibit through November 10, 2005.

Chicago Artists’ Month - October 2005

“Sapphire and Crystals: Black, White and Blues” at Woman Made Gallery is part of Chicago Artists’ Month, the tenth annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community. In October, more than 180 exhibitions of emerging and established artists, openings, demonstrations, tours, open studios and neighborhood art walks take place at galleries, cultural centers and arts buildings throughout the city. For further information, call 312/744-6630 or visit www.chicagoartistsmonth.org. Chicago Artists’ Month is coordinated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and is sponsored by the Chicago Office of Tourism with additional support from Podmajersky, Inc.

Image: 'Blue Drummer #1'', colored pencil by Dorothy Carter

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Her work is exhibited in many notable collections throughout the U.S., including 'Three Generations of African American Women Sculptors' at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington and the National Women's Museum in Washington, DC. In 2000, artist Geraldine McCullough was presented the Oak Park (IL) Area Arts Council's Joseph Randall Shapiro Award, given annually, in recognition of "exceptional contributions to the arts.

Image: "Treeform'' sculpture by Geraldine McCullough.

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Teresa Jenkins is joined in this exhibition by artists Beth Bartley, Lubbock TX, and Linda Deardorff, Lakeside, OR and Elizabeth Rhoads Read from Cedar Rapids, IA. Other artists who have their work at the Artisan Gallery include: Melissa Banks, Jill Buckingham, Sarah Chapman, Teresa Faris, Judy Freeman, Eileen Goldenberg, Sandra Golbert, Judy Gray, Caroline Haurie, Laura Hewitt, Kristen Holub, Regina Maniaci, Stephanie Marder, Emily McKormick, Jeannine McKenzie, Emily Murphy, Kim Nikolaev, Carmen M. Perez, Martha Rosenfeld, Rachel Slick, Liz Vercruysse, Emily Watson, Paula Wendland and Suzanne Shafer- Wilson.

Image: "Leaf Wallhanging'' by Teresa Jenkins

About Woman Made Gallery

Woman Made Gallery is a tax-exempt, not for profit organization founded in 1992. Its goal is to support women in the arts by providing opportunities, awareness, and advocacy. It specifically accomplishes this through monthly thematic exhibitions which raise public awareness and recognition of women's cultural contributions.