Joyce Owens: Artist On Art

We Have a museum for Women, Why not a Man Museum?

The answer is the same as why there is no White People Museum (although a Native American woman seemed to be working on one, claiming white culture was dying out).

There are Native American, Mexican, and African American museums, and museums that honor other "minorities".

So are women a minority? I don't believe we are. With the upcoming census, maybe we can straighten this all out. But we do  get our own museum just like the other minorities do. None of this is acceptable to me. Yes, I want women and minorities included in the entire fabric of this country from president to museum directors to top money-making dead artists (and #6 is a woman)! Of the top selling living artists, all are MEN!

Most Expensive Living Artist - Lucian Freud

Separate is just not equal and it won't ever be!

I have been working hard these past few weeks. I work hard most of the time, but with teaching, curating a few shows,  getting some training for a grant panel, participating in a weekend art show that took one night to set up after teaching, one evening reception for honorees Dan Parker, art collector and artist, Derric Clemmons and one full day of schmoozing with art lovers and thank goodness, art collectors, and then the next day to settle the bills and then back to work and on and on...I have not had a chance to write here!

Lots of stuff going on ...I did a CAA panel during my hiatus from writing and had some interesting revelations.

I am 2nd from the right in the CAA panel (see my previous blogs for more info.)

To my surprise, while thinking about an issue that I believed was pretty much a no-brainer, I came up with some other ideas. I am not sure what the other panelists thought about my conclusions, but I guess not much. The panel was about the need for women's institutions. I said I loved the institutions I have been involved with which have been many, but that I think separate is still not equal, no matter who we are talking about. I think women need to run major institutions and make the decisions to include women. I did an earlier blog searching for female leadership in major museums and found that they are led mostly by men who sometimes choose men as exhibiting artists. I know there are tons of women in museums. But I mean top decision makers. A person at the panel said she thought cultivating more women collectors would also help. I think the wives of the collectors can persuade their husbands but who knows.The highest earning artists in the world are still an all-male club!
I told Joanne Mattera, a New York City artist and blogger '' There is no “ Man Museum .”

Her response "Priceless."

Chicago Printmakers Collaborative FREE

Chicago Printmakers Collaborative
Upcoming News & Events
  October 2008

The Art of Democracy

Part of a nation-wide series of printmaking exhibitions
organized by the New York Society of Etchers

continuing through November 1, 2008

The CPC's "The Art of Democracy" is part of a network of
exhibitions and events that are taking place in Chicago,
San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, New York, Atlanta,
and other cities across the U.S. The printmaking medium
has historically proven itself as a prime democratic
broadcaster of artistic and political vision.
Join us as we work to amplify the artistic
voices willing to speak out in these dangerous times.

Gallery hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays,
12-5 and by appointment

Exhibiting artists:                  
Alex Chitty
Misha Goro
Carrie Iverson
Deborah Maris Lader
Artemio Rodriguez                         
Shira Soskel
Megan Sterling
Kyra Termini   
with a special showing of posters made by Misha Goro's
students at the American Academy of Art.
Posters from print artists across the nation will also be on display.

for more info, also see www.artofdemocracy.org

Fall Classes at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative
Are FULL! stay tuned for upcoming info on winter/spring offerings...

Educating the masses on the fine art of printmaking for over 19 years!

Also Available:
Private and Semi-private classes in
Screenprinting, Lithography, Etching, Relief, Monotype, and more!
Monthly PRESS TIME with key access for experienced, professional printmakers

email us at
info@chicagoprintmakers.com
or call 773-293-2070.

The CPC is located in Lincoln Square,
at 4642 N. Western Avenue., just across the street from
the Brown Line el stop, on the west side of the street,
between Wilson and Leland.

Check us out on the web:
www.chicagoprintmakers.com

"Say Hello to Yourself" (above) oil, drawing, photography on board
24 x 25 cm, by Deborah Maris Lader, Director of the Printmakers Collaborative

  To purchase please call the CPC at 773.293.2070. 

Chicago Artists Coalition Art Open and Prompt!

Besides the other events during Chicago Artists Month, the CAC has launched a new magazine called Prompt!

Olga Stefan, executive director of the Chicago Artists Coalition, Prompt editor, Jeremy  Biles and the rest of the staff did a great job addressing some issues on the minds of Chicago and other artists. You can get a free copy when you attend the Art Open at the Merchadise Mart until October 19. I am in an article in the Translations section called "Defining the Black Artist Today" by Dawoud Bey and Patric McCoy.

I am in the Art Open, too. My piece represents the South Side Community Art Center and is on this page.

Chicago Artists Get Their 15 Minutes! SUBMIT your shows!!!!!

I have been trying to post about Chicago Artists Month since the Sept. 29 kick-off at the Hyde Park Art Center, but the activities have kept me so busy I  have not until now!

I will revert to a real web diary style and post  a few events at a time. Please add yours to the comments! I can  copy your info into new posts. The city has a link that lists all the  activities as well as sponsors WTTW and WFMT.

The opening event was terrific! Dawoud Bey's photography show, that he curated,was still up as well as the Dale Washington show presenting his varied styles of portraiture from line drawing to impressionistic representation through abstract expressionism using every medium you can imagine.

Theastor Gates, ceramic artist and sculptor, performed with a group called the Black Monks of Mississippi. (Click on the link to see the guys...I think one of the monks was passing...) They were phenomenal AND ironic, and could really sing! 

The  food was great,  too! And, of  course, Eva Silverman and Cynthia Quick and the other WONDERFUL and hardworking Department  of Cultural Affairs crew were at their charming best (as always)!

Every October, for the  past  13 years, Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs promotes artists residing in Chicago. This began through the Chicago Artists' Coalition who held, and still do, The CAC Art Open, a first-come, first-served non-juried art exhibition that has evolved over time to  have curator choices, emerging artists sections, students and professional artists showcased. I am in a new category where I was nominated by an organization, The South Side Community Art Center. Diane Dinkins Carr, her fabulous board and Faheem Majeed, the exec. director are really adding to the brand of this WPA art center!

But the CAC is only the beginning.  (Below is "Woman in Tied Blouse" in the Merchandise Mart at the CAC show)

October is now like Black History Month is for African American  artists. The joke is that every black artist can get a show  in February. Well, every artist I know has a show for October and we are all running around trying to figure out how to get to everything.

So here are my first 3:

October 3,  Griffin Gallery, "Legacies"
October 3, Gallery Guichard, group show.
October 3,  Chicago Artists  Coalition's Art Open

The CAC  launched their new art publication called"Prompt".  My work is featured in an  article, "Defining the Black Artist Today" written as a conversation  between  preeminent Chicago-based photographer Dawoud Bey and president of Diasporal Rhythms, prominent art collector and arts advocate, Patric McCoy .

"Survivor Spirits in Black and White" group is featured in the first issue of "Prompt".

The amazing artist, Preston Jackson will be at Maison Rouge
Maison Rouge Gallery

Reception, Saturday October 11th
5pm - 10pm

2828 North Clark Street

Century Shopping Centre - Chicago Illinois, 60657

P: 773.472.3421 E:

maisonrouge@sbcglobal.net W: www.maisonrouge.net

NI'JA Whitson has sent a flier for her exhibition the at  South Side Community Art Center. (please click on either image to enlarge).