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Castellani Art Museum hosts '20/20 Vision: Women Artists in Western New York'

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Thu, Jan 30th 2020 07:00 am

On display Feb. 20 to Aug. 16

The opening of “20/20 Vision: Women Artists in Western New York” at the Castellani Art Museum will take place from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. This free event on the Niagara University campus will be the first comprehensive regional art exhibition focused on all women artists living in Western New York’s five counties.

Intended to show the breadth and depth of the work of women artists, this display will enable viewers to hear the voices of women artists. The art of 185 women will be on the gallery walls of this prestigious contemporary art museum.

“Overall, the participating artists demonstrate a keen desire to exhibit their best work and have their art thoughtfully considered,” said exhibition coordinator Michelle Marcotte. “The Castellani Art Museum’s permanent collection includes the work of many national and international women artists, which is not always the case in public museums and collections. Historically, art by women has not been given the careful thought and critical assessment that art by men has received.

“Works by women are not as present in the collections of individuals who buy art and support artists. That must, and probably will, change as more women begin collecting art. I invite you to be part of this change.”

Marcotte added, “Each of these artists carefully selected that one perfect piece to reflect their work, their thoughts, and how the Western New York region has influenced her art.”

Participating local artists include Marcotte, Marolyn Corriere, Mary Furlong, Maureen Kellick, Allison Lytle, Gracelyn Marra-Bax, Kiyomi Miller, Brenda Molloy, Julie Silver, Iris Varianti, Kimberly Lyn Williams and Anne Zohur from the River Region; Niagara-Wheatfield-area artists Kari Achatz, Michele Agosto, Gail Billie, Elaine Grisanti, Donna Hale, Joan Horn, Paulette Jurek, Sarah Kraus, Susan Liddell, Ruby Merritt, Constance Minneci, Cynthia Pegado, Sherryl Perez, Rose Popper, Nicole Ritchey and Andrea Taveski; and Grand Island-area artists Elaine Korczykowski, Maria Laurendi, Debra Meier, Bonnie Nevans, Kath Schifano, Paula Siuk, Elizabeth Snyder, Eleanor Tetkowski and JoAnn Vanderheite.

“This community-driven exhibition was inspired by the museum’s 2018 ‘Meet Me at the CAM’ film and lecture series, which focused, in part, on the under-representation of women’s contributions to the visual arts,” said Interim Museum Director/Curator of Exhibitions and Special Projects Michael J. Beam. “Responding to this well-documented history of inequity, ‘20/20 Vision’ will let the public experience the artists’ work without the barrier of the exclusionary jurying process.”

The exhibit will be on display until Aug. 16.

A series of educational programs and special events will be presented throughout the exhibition’s installation. Visit www.castellaniartmuseum.org for details.

An artist-driven initiative will encourage businesses, corporations and individuals to purchase artwork directly from artists included in the exhibition. The Castellani Art Museum is not involved in sales, and receives no commission from any sales.

Marcotte said, “Art by women artists will support corporate diversity programs, enhancing corporate and personal spaces. The opportunity to purchase art with this program will start during the opening reception and continue for six months. All purchase funds will go directly to the artist.”

CAM is now be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Monday. Admission is free.

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