October 10 ‘ November 14, 2015
Opening Reception: Friday, October 9, 6 – 8 pm
Closing Tea: Saturday, November 14, 2 – 4 pm
Hibbard & Maddocks Galleries
The Rockport Art Association proudly presents a groundbreaking new exhibit, Strokes of Genius: Women Artists of New England ‘ Past & Present, an exhibition which explores how women artists overcame disparity in the art world of 19th-century America and rose to the top of their creative profession. The impact of the 1893 World’s Fair and Exposition in Chicago was a catalyst for inspiring women to take their rightful place in the field of creativity and compete in the patriarchal art world on equal footing.
This major exhibition featuring more than 90 works by 50 women artists from across New England offers an intimate examination of work by Hazelton and Beaux. as well as other notable artists including Emma Fordyce MacRae, Marie Danforth Page, mother and daughter Martha Wood Belcher and Hilda Belcher.
Also included are contemporary works by current members of the National Association of Women Artists, Massachusetts Chapter, showing the continuing trend of innovative a creative works by members of this century old organization first formed in 1889 to support and encourage women in the arts. Over the years, NAWA has counted some of the most influential women of the day as members including Beaux, Anna Hyatt Huntington, Nell Blaine and Theresa Berstein, all of whom had close associations with New England, and Cape Ann in particular, having made it their home at some point in their lives.
‘This is a ground-breaking show of work by women artists and sculptors in the New England area and every artist represented here, and many who we were not able to include, proved a valuable role model for those following in their footsteps’ ‘ Jude Abbe, Chair of the Exhibition Committee.
An illustrated catalog accompanying the exhibition traces the history of women’s contributions to the arts in New England and explores women’s choices of medium and subject matter. The catalog also serves as an important and lasting reference with artists’ biographies.
Lectures, Artist Demonstrations & Events
Oct. 14: Lecture: Jean Lightman, Boston School Painters (10:30 am)
Oct. 20: Artist Demonstration: Ann Goldberg ~ Pastels (10:30 am)
Oct. 21: Gallery Walk: Betty Lou Schlemm on NAWA (10:30 am)
Oct. 22: Stephanie Bond: the Childs Gallery (11 am)
Oct. 23: Lecture: Elizabeth Mehlin on Painting Concervation, ‘The Baby and the Bathwater’ (7 pm)
Oct. 24: Family Art Project: Erin O’Sullivan (11 am)
Oct. 28: Gallery Walk: Judith Curtis and Catalog Signing (10:30 am)
Nov. 4: Artist Demonstration: Melody Phaneuf ~ Oils (10:30 am)
Nov. 6 Lecture: Judith Curtis, Women Artists of the RAA Museum Collection (7 pm)
Nov. 7: Family Scavenger Hunt, (11 am)
Nov. 14: Closing Tea ‘ Period costume optional. (2 pm)
Entry into the Exhibition:
Members: FREE
Rockport Residents w/ ID: FREE
Out of State w/ ID: $3
General Public $5
Program Admission:
Non-Members ‘ $5 fee for each program
RAA Members ‘ $5 one-time fee includes entry into ALL programs