Six women who were willing to lean into their passion and expand visual arts.

Each was born with God-gifted talent; each worked hard to hone their skills.

They expanded their respective genres by introducing new themes and dimensions to western art. They did all this and more within a male dominated field that often refused to recognize or acknowledge the talents of women.

Men ruled the roost within the fine arts. Work by men routinely commanded(s) higher prices at auctions. The critics, gate keepers, instructors, gallery owners, and taste makers for people wishing to amass collections are predominately men.  

My love and knowledge of art was formed through first-hand exposure and experiences. My research has made me confident that each of these women is worthy of being recognized for their extraordinary contributions to western, fine art. Each was recognized for their talent by their peer group. Some received recognition from the public at large during their lifetime. 

Camille Claudel and Frida Kahlo were included in volume five, History of Art, written by H. W. Jansen. This particular tome was either the “standard text book” or required reading for almost all students taking an introductory, survey course of western art. Exclusion from this particular book often resulted in important artists and their work being lost, ignored, or banished for most of the 20th century.

For Women’s History Month, HAVarts pays tribute to and celebrates each of these women. You are encouraged to do the same. 

Reading (Literacy) (1948), Elizabeth Catlett

Elizabeth Catlett

“I have always wanted my art to service my people — to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential.”

Elizabeth Catlett was an African American Mexican artist and activist who resided in Mexico for over sixty years. Ms. Catlett had a vision for her work as, “an art for people of all kinds.” Her work includes a huge body of linocut prints on a number of themes: the experience of African American life, American-Mexican life, political struggle and ideology, and social themes.  

Catlett held the conviction that art should be inclusive, thoughtful, instructive, and inspirational – she wanted her work to be more than “pretty pictures.” The messages embedded in her work about human and civil rights resonate with viewers as strongly today as they did several decades ago.

Country Fair (1950), Grandma Moses

Anna Mary Robertson Moses
(Grandma Moses)

Born one year before the start of the civil war in 1860, Anna Mary Robertson Moses had a deep appreciation for life's small joys.

Known by her nickname, Grandma Moses, she began painting in 1938 at the age of 78. Her work is classified as “folk art”; descriptive adjectives for her work have included naïve, primitive, and the dreaded and often demeaning phrase “self-taught-painter.” 

The art of Grandma Moses focused on subject matter that she was very familiar with. She painted pleasant things that reminded folks of kinder, gentler times. Her paintings focused on the wonder and beauty of nature.

Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

Frida Kahlo

Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo y Calderón (de Rivera) 

The Tate Modern (famed modern and contemporary gallery in London) considers Frida Kahlo one of the most important artists of the 20th Century.

Ms. Kahlo’s paintings reflect her essence. Her love of nature, chronic health issues, physical pain, and political leanings are evident in her work. She survived a severe bus accident at the age of 18. The accident changed the direction of her life’s vocation from medicine to art.

Camille Claudel, Le Dieu Envolé (1894)

Camille Claudel

She changed the direction of modern sculpture from neoclassicism to something more. 

Camille Claudel was a French sculptor known for her works in bronze and marble, and for her professional and personal relationships with August Rodin. She also worked with plaster and terracotta. She was fascinated with the human form, stone, clay, and soil as a child.  

Claudel was an outstanding genius who, despite having wealth, beauty, an iron will, and a brilliant future even before meeting Rodin, was never rewarded and died in loneliness, poverty, and obscurity.

Red Poppy (1927), Georgia O'Keeffe

Georgia O’Keeffe

Isn’t this the famous lady artist that painted the erotic flowers?

Georgia O’Keeffe’s fame for painting flowers is as well-known as Frida Kahlo’s uni-browed countenance and her parted, braided, and pinned hair.

Indeed, O’Keeffe is known for painting flowers; however, she is also well regarded for NY skyscrapers, landscapes, and animal skulls. Her career spanned 70 years and included phases or periods where she focused on different subjects, themes, and techniques.

Death of Cleopatra (1876), Edmonia Lewis

Mary Edmonia Lewis

Also known as "Wildfire," she is worthy of inclusion in any and all surveys of fine western art!

Edmonia Lewis suffered racism, prejudice, and abject poverty. She attended Oberlin College near Cleveland, lived abroad in Italy and England for most of her life, and her patrons included a marquis, a prince, and a Pope.

Lewis was recognized for her mastery of sculpture in marble. She did 100% of the grunt work required to prepare the stone for sculpture because she feared critics would question the authenticity of her creations “being of her hand.”

Exploration of Latin Art

Showcasing excellence in Latin Culture, Mexican, and Guatemalan art.

This show will feature curated pieces collected by residents from Summerlin, including favorite pieces of neighbors in Cottonwood Terrace who cherish fine arts and education. The pieces are from Mexican, Guatemalan, and Haitian artists. Noted artists are Antonio Vasquez, Elizabeth Catlett, and Dr. Venetta Whitaker.

On display at the Summerlin Library from August 20 through November 3, 2024 in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

Hayes Advocacy for the Vegas Arts is working to provide opportunities for you to engage in the arts. Your donation helps us provide amazing seminars, impressive exhibitions, and engaging events.

HAVarts is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization, EIN 93-1978255.
Your gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.