Craft Studio celebrates Women's History Month

The Women in the Arts showcase offers a safe place for women artists.

By Lauren Fitzpatrick

Published March 9, 2010

On the far wall of the Craft Studio hung a painting reminiscent of the Victorian era. Much unlike most of the era’s portraits, the featured woman was standing nude and expressionless, a complete disregard of the pomp and circumstance of the time. The painting demonstrated empowerment, shedding her layers and displaying her as simply a woman.

MU encourages education in women and gender studies with a large number of courses offered in the field, but during Women's History Month, inspiration to learn more about women can be found outside of lecture halls.

Craft Studio Coordinator Kelsey Hammond said the overarching goal of the Women in the Arts exhibition is to highlight female artists who were left out of history — women who weren't written about or talked about. It's an attempt to include women who were often left out of artistic movements altogether.

In the lower level of Memorial Union North, the Craft Studio's newest exhibition of artwork from the Women's Center-sponsored collection Women In the Arts features paintings, sculptures and photographs of talented female artists from MU and mid-Missouri.

The 17th annual showcase is part of Women's History Month.

"We are celebrating women artists making art today to give space for women to exhibit their work because historically women's art has been overlooked or forgotten," Hammond said.

The event opened this Monday, sponsored by Missouri Students Association/Graduate Professional Council, the Craft Studio and the Women's Center.

Hammond said it has already drawn attention to the Craft Studio; the number of visitors has increased since the first day of the artwork display.

The annual art show attracts students from different majors, such as featured artist Emily Iovaldi. Iovaldi did not shy away from the opportunity to participate in this exhibition, even though she is a business major.

Iovaldi's interest in photography encouraged her struggle through the rigorous application process. The call for artists required the applicants to provide a CD of original artwork, a brief artist statement for each piece and a non-refundable entry fee of $15 for students.

"When I got the e-mail, I was really excited and didn't understand the extent of how important this show was, but I know women in the art world do not get a lot of attention," Iovaldi said.

The exhibit provides students a safe place to tackle sensitive issues that plague women but are often ignored.

"A lot of the work I do stems from the issues that girls have with body image," Iovaldi said.

Her art also focuses on the loss of identity, which can often come with psychological disorders.

The Women in the Arts reception will be held 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday in the Craft Studio. Elizabeth Snipes, artist and assistant professor at Missouri State, will jury the reception. She has been delegated with the task of selecting the most interesting pieces to be exhibited in the show. Snipes will also select the artworks to receive awards. There is one Best of Show award for $250 and two Recognition of Excellence awards are $150 each.

The Craft Studio's showing of Women in the Arts ends April 2.