Throughout history, the majority of artists known for their astounding works of art have been men, but one Baton Rouge group is looking to change that.
The Associated Women in the Arts is holding its spring art show and sale in Louisiana’s Old State Capitol’s Senate Chamber Gallery during the month of April and will feature a variety of works from the organization’s exhibiting members.
The nonprofit opened its doors to members in 1980 as an outlet for women in Louisiana to showcase their artistic talent while promoting women in the arts.
The organization’s current president, Jovann Armstrong, said the group began with local artists who wanted to be known as professional artists. Through education, exhibits and monthly meetings, the AWA is bringing its goal to life.
“I think sometimes women get left out of the art scene a little bit,” Armstrong said. “Women are normally caretakers, and we’re home with our children and families. I think it’s important for women to promote, encourage and push each other.”
April’s show will include works of all different mediums, from watercolor to acrylic paints. The organization holds several shows during the year to allow all members the opportunity to showcase their work, but some shows — including the spring show — are reserved specifically for the group’s exhibiting members.
Becoming an exhibiting member begins with the application process. Armstrong said the organization prefers if prospective members attend a few meetings to learn about the AWA before finding someone to sponsor them.
Once the applications are sorted through, a select number of individuals join as general members, and after six months, they submit several pieces of art to an AWA committee. This process will determine whether or not an individual may become an exhibiting member.
Armstrong said this year’s show doesn’t have a specific theme, but she encouraged members to keep in mind the fact that tourists flock to the downtown area during this time of year, which led to several Louisiana-themed works.
Exhibiting member Louise Hansen said she’s been involved with the AWA for about four years. After working in the commercial arts as an illustrator for 25 years, she said the organization helped introduce her to the Baton Rouge art scene.
Hansen said when she first started painting, she was told to only put the first initial of her first name alongside her last name when signing art because if people knew she was a woman, her art wouldn’t be as successful.
“I came up in the era where women couldn’t wear slacks to work, and they couldn’t work if they were pregnant,” Hansen said. “I come from all of that, so it’s important to elevate women in art.”
The art shows aren’t the only activities the AWA organizes. Aside from its monthly meetings at Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library, which are open to anyone interested in the organization, it also invites guest artists for interactive workshops. Armstrong said the workshops are usually outdoors, and each artist will teach and perform painting demonstrations for those in attendance.
Armstrong said the organization doesn’t currently have any college-aged artists, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t allowed, and the group is always looking for a variety of ideas. She said they often make a point to support the University’s art department with annual donations.
Even though these women come from different backgrounds, Armstrong said it’s nice to meet people who have similar interests and hopes the community makes an effort to visit the show.
“We have fabulous artists,” Armstrong said. “They work very hard, and I’ve always felt like they don’t get enough press and enough credit. It’s great that we’re finally starting to get noticed a little more.”
Hansen said when members decide to leave, they take this experience with them, which has also helped these artists elevate themselves in mixed male and female art organizations.
In the future, Armstrong said she would like to see the AWA expand to encompass artists statewide, rather than solely the Baton Rouge area. She said some of the current members are interested in keeping the group smaller, but she would like to figure out a way to involve more artists.
“My feeling has always been when you surround yourself with really good artists, you’re going to get better,” Armstrong said. “I’d love just to have the public participate more in our shows and meet our artists.”
You can reach Greta Jines on Twitter @TheGretaJines.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Charles Champagne

Red Geraniums by Nancy Ward is on display by the Associated Women in the Arts gallery in promotion of louisiana women in the arts Tuesday, March 31, 2015 inside the old state capitol biulding.