|
Greetings!
This year is coming to an end, and we have so much to tell you...of the past and of the future.
There is not enough space or time to say it all, but before you get too tired to read to the end of this message, it is most important that you know how very grateful we are for the amazing support that has allowed us to fulfill our mission. Thank you to our devoted board, staff, interns and volunteers, members, artists and artisans, jurors, collectors, sponsors, contributors, creative partners, gallery and website visitors. Thanks to you for making WMG a happening place!
WMG's artistic programs in 2011 have included eight group and eight solo shows. Approximately 230 women artists have exhibited their work in the group exhibitions; eight artists showed a larger body of work in solo shows, and 40 women have exhibited fine crafts in the Artisan Gallery.
In addition to group and solo shows, WMG offered free artist talks by Shelly Jyoti and Laura Kina, Catherine Schwalbe-Bouzide and Mary King, a discussion about Minimalism by Ingrid Fassbender and Paul Krainak, and a presentation exploring equality for women artists by Joyce Owens.
WMG has continued to host poetry readings that thematically coincide with WMG's group shows. Curated by Nina Corwin, thirty poets read at six WMG events. As one of WBEZ's Chicago Amplified Partners, WMG readings are professionally
recorded by volunteer Kurt Heintz, and can be heard online in WBEZ's Chicago Amplified Partners section.
The 2011 Gala at Salvage One was a memorable event with hundreds of individuals contributing generously. We are so very grateful to all who have made this important annual fundraiser a great success.
In Summer of 2011 WMG hosted an exciting and most successful community art project at the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival in Logan Square. More than 200 individuals of all genders, ages, and cultural backgrounds participated in the event by creating assemblages from generously donated beads and mixed media.
Looking Ahead to 2012: WMG's 20th Anniversary!
2012 is WMG's 20th anniversary, and we are starting the new year with a big bang: a new WMG logo!!!
Created by the team at Firebelly University, the new logo is inspired by the symmetry and beauty found in how the 'W' and 'M' of WMG fit together. The resulting form is symbolic of how women in the arts support each other and their communities.
This is the first of many exciting marketing developments that will be shared over the course of 2012 so stay tuned.
WMG has planned eight group exhibitions, eight solo shows, and four group exhibitions in the Artisan Gallery. Some of the group shows include "Twenty in their Twenties" work by women under 30 juried by Chicago artist Betsy Odom; the "15th International Open", juried by Chicago Gallerist Linda Warren; "Consumer Cuture", juried by Margaret Ware; "Invitational: Twenty Jurors", a WMG-curated invitational group exhibition inviting 20 past jurors to show their work; a "WMG Archives" exhibition with highlights of the organization's 20-year history; and a group show by "Sapphire & Crystals" an African American Women's Art Collective that is celebrating its 25th anniversary. WMG's Artisan Gallery, a space reserved for functional works such as jewelry and pottery, will highlight hand-made crafts by 60 women artisans during the 2012 calendar year. We will offer eleven "Her Group" sessions facilitated by artist LuEllen Joy Giera, aimed at encouraging women artists to speak about their work, share their creative process, and inspire each other to make art and improve their art-making practices. And we have more wonderful readings planned under the guidance of our literary host, Nina Corwin. Twenty Neighborhoods Project
In 2012 the Woman Made Gallery is partnering with 20 Chicago neighborhood and community-based organizations to create an art exhibition based on Chicago women's individual and collective experiences and aspirations for their homes, neighborhoods, communities, and city. WMG will host found-object sculpture workshops for participating women at each organization's location, culminating in an exhibition of all the participants' art pieces, as well as an event series, at Woman Made Gallery in October of 2012. Save the Date: WMG Gala on April 20, 2012 On April 20th WMG will hold its most important fundraiser of the year at Salvage One. It will include a live and silent auction, a raffle, music by the Jazzifiers and excellent appetizers provided by Amazing Edibles. Please save the date, and if you can, donate items for our auction: gift cards or gift certificates for restaurants, businesses and services, frequent flier miles, a hotel weekend, a sailing adventure, flying lessons, or a date with a noted personality! Tell us if you have any ideas for unique silent or live auction items. ... Thank you so much if you have read until here. And please continue for this important news affecting WMG's future:
Woman Made Gallery has truly achieved much since 1992. Close to 7,000 women artists have exhibited their work since WMG was established. WMG hosted 312 exhibitions, made up of 165 group shows, 103 invitational/solo shows, 36 Artisan Gallery exhibitions, and nine off-site shows. We have helped thousands of artists with their careers, and thousands are inspired and enriched by the programs we are providing.
In order to make more people aware of WMG and its amazing work, the Gallery, with the help of its fabulous Marketing Committee led by Shannon Downey, is launching a year-long innovative marketing campaign that celebrates the amazing artists that make up our vibrant community while spreading the word that WMG exists. The campaign will include a focus on 20 diverse women from our community. We will photograph them and video document their experiences and thoughts on Woman Made and its importance. The portraits will be blown up to create posters and strategically placed all over the city (including CTA ads). Each poster will have a QR code which, when scanned, will bring you online to that woman's video + story and then ultimately to the Woman Made website. Additionally, we hope to be able to purchase a new sign that includes our new logo and 20th anniversary tagline, "20 Years Strong". Your support will enable us to realize our goal of an innovative and dynamic marketing campaign to honor the artists in our vibrant community as well as publically highlight the importance and need for supporting equality in the arts community. If you believe that WMG is important, why don't you help us to spread the word to those who might appreciate our work. Here is the link to the promotional video and request for donations to our Marketing Campaign: WMG is Turning 20! We wish you a wonderful year, full of health, happiness, and creativity! Beate and Ruby Woman Made Gallery Board, Staff, and Volunteers | 
