Women’s Art in Chicago Public Libraries

Sara Burrows

The Chicago Public Library celebrates March as Women’s History Month with a variety of programs and exhibits highlighting the achievements and contributions of women in the visual arts.

It’s all over the city, and it’s all free. Also recommended are the many links to women and the arts available at the CPL Web site. Go to www.chipublib.org and click on Women’s History Month in the programs section, bottom right.

Library programs:

Meet Mary Cassatt: An American Artist

Thursday, March 18, 3:30 p.m., Garfield Ridge Branch, 6348 S. Archer Ave., (312) 747-6094.

Lynn Rymarz tells the story of Mary Cassatt, her early desires to be an artist, as well as her journey to becoming a professional artist. For ages 7 and up.

This program will also be presented:

*Friday, March 19, 11 a.m., Roden Branch, 6083 N. Northwest Highway, (312) 744-1478.

*Monday, March 22, 11 a.m., Jefferson Park Branch, 5363 W. Lawrence Ave., (312) 744-1998.

Through the Eyes of Women-Famous Visual Artists

Thursday, March 18, 4 p.m., Toman Branch, 2708 S. Pulaski Road, (312) 745-1600.

Gwen Hilary and Enoch Williamson present stories about women from all over the world who have created beautiful paintings, sculptures, photography and films. For ages 7 and up.

This program will also be presented:

*Tuesday, March 23, 4 p.m., Scottsdale Branch, 4101 W. 79^th St., (312) 747-0193.

*Wednesday, March 24, 11 a.m., Harold Washington Library Center, Multipurpose Room on Lower Level, 400 S. State St., (312) 747-4300.

*Thursday, March 25, 1 p.m., Vodak-Eastside Branch, 3701 E. 106^th St., (312) 747-5500.

 

Women’s Collective Art Practice in Chicago: 1937-2007

Thursday, March 18, 6 p.m., Harold Washington Library Center, Video Theatre, Lower Level,

400 S. State St., (312) 747-4300.

Historians frequently assert that women artists fared better in Chicago than New York or Los Angeles. However, what they neglect is the fact that despite this reality many women participated in collaborative groups, such as women artists’ art associations and cooperatives in order to create greater visibility for themselves. Presenter Joanna Gardner-Huggett, associate professor of history of art and architecture at DePaul University, examines this history, as well as the reasons why they chose to forge these alliances in a city well known for its warm reception of female artists.

Honoring Georgia O’Keeffe’s Art

Saturday, March 20, 1 p.m. McKinley Park Branch, 1915 W. 35^th St., (312) 747-6082.

Landscape artist Tobi Star Abrams creates a 3-D landscape scene in honor of artist Georgia O’Keefe. This make-and-take art project will be accented with brilliant colors and free-flowing flower forms like O’Keeffe’s art. Participants will look at O’Keefe’s artwork and observe the colors, lines and shapes that made her a famous artist. For all ages.

The Power of Glamour: Screen Goddesses of Hollywood’s Golden Age

Saturday, March 20, 2 p.m., Roosevelt Branch, 1101 W. Taylor St., (312) 746-5656.

Solo dramatist Roberta Randall evokes a unique Hollywood era and five of the goddesses, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead and Marlene Dietrich, who enchanted the world and left their legacy.

The Beatrix Potter Collection

Friday, March 26, 11 a.m., Clearing Branch, 6423 W. 63^rd Place, (312) 747-5657.

The Melikin Puppets present three Beatrix Potter tales. The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Benjamin Bunny relate the mischief tales that star Peter and his cousin Ben romping in Mr. McGregor’s garden.  In The Tale of Two Bad Mice, Melikin Puppets relate the antics of two naughty mice that live beneath the floorboards of a little girl’s dollhouse.

Art for Mothers and Daughters

Saturday, March 27, 2 p.m., Portage-Cragin Branch, 5108 W. Belmont Ave., (312) 744-0152.

Artist Bernadette Foch leads mothers and daughters to create art based on Laurel Burch’s designs. Foch first gives some biographical information on Burch, the creative and self-taught artist known for her vivid and vibrantly colored images of people, cats, horses, butterflies, birds, blossoms, and fish. For all ages.

Great Women of History: Jacqueline Kennedy

Monday, March 29, 6:30 p.m., Austin-Irving Branch, 6100 W. Irving Park Road, (312) 744-6222.

With experience as an actor, historian and teacher, Leslie Goddard brings a unique perspective to Jacqueline Kennedy’s life events.

 

Documentary Film Screenings: Conversation with Women Artists

Harold Washington Library Center, Video Theatre, 400 S. State St., (312) 747-4300.

Two programs:

*Wednesday, March 24, 6:00 p.m.

Alice Neel: 1900-1984

In this interview with the irrepressible artist Alice Neel, shortly before her death in 1984, she discusses her life and work.  Included are interviews with two of her painting subjects. Producer/director, Paul Tschinkel, 1990. 28 minutes.

Lorna Simpson. A World of Art: Works in Progress

For the opening of the Sean Kelly Gallery in New York City’s Soho, photographer Lorna Simpson creates a series of large-scale, multi-paneled photographs silkscreened onto felt. The program captures the intense work and hectic pace of producing, installing, and opening a show. An Oregon Public Broadcasting production in association with Oregon State University for the Annenberg/CPB Project. 1997. 26 minutes. An example of Lorna Simpson’s artwork may be viewed on the third floor of the library.

*Wednesday, March 31, 6 p.m.:

Faith Ringgold Paints Crown Heights

An inspirational look at 12 cultures that have settled in Crown Heights, as depicted by African American artist Faith Ringgold. Written and directed by David Irving. 1995. 28 minutes.

An example of Faith Ringgold’s artwork may be seen on the fifth floor of the library.

Betye & Alison Saar: Conjure Women of the Arts

Mother and daughter artists demonstrate collaborative art and the use of found objects in their work and reflect on their relationship, motivation and roles as African American women. Written and directed by David Irving. 1994. 28 minutes.

 

Art Exhibits by Local Women

• Stephanie Dean: Roden Branch, 6083 N. Northwest Highway, (312) 744-1478.
• Alma Dominguez: Daley Branch, 3400 S. Halsted St., (312) 747-8990.
• Krista Franklin and D. Denenge Akpem: South Shore Branch, 2505 E. 73rd St., (312) 747-5281.
• Azadeh Hussaini: Lincoln Park Branch, 1150 W. Fullerton Ave., (312) 744-1926.
• Laura Keyser: Bezazian Branch, 1226 W. Ainslie St., (312) 744-0019.
• Judy Langston: Galewood-Mont Clare Branch, 6969 W. Grand Ave., (312) 746-5032.
• Anne Elizabeth Moore: Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch, 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave., (312) 744-6022.
• Pat Otto: Harold Washington Library Center, 8th Floor, 400 S. State St., (312) 747-4800.
• Victoria Sky: Harold Washington Library Center, 7th Floor, 400 S. State St., (312) 747-4800.
• Karyn Thompson: Mount Greenwood Branch, 11010 S. Kedzie Ave., (312) 747-2805.
• Anna Timmerman: Manning Branch, 6 S. Hoyne Ave., (312) 746-6800.
• Elizabeth Wolf: Beverly Branch, 1962 W. 95th St., (312) 747-9673.
• Jennifer Yorke: Lincoln Belmont Branch, 1659 W. Melrose St., (312) 744-0166.
• Jung-Yul-Yu: West Belmont Branch, 3104 N. Narragansett Ave., (312) 746-5142.