National Museum of Women in the Arts: Celebrating a Woman's Touch

Move over, Picasso and Degas and Van Gogh and your fellow man-artists. Make room for some of your brilliant female colleagues, dating all the way back to the 16th century, when women were hardly allowed to speak, let alone paint and show creativity beyond their hair and clothes. Welcome to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington's proud museum of art by women through history. The National Museum of Women in the Arts features more than 3,000 works at its location just up the street from the White House.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts features a wide array of expressions, including photographs, paintings, drawings, sculptures, film and other varieties. The museum was incorporated in 1981 in temporary quarters, then moved to its current location on New York Avenue N.W. in 1987. The museum is located in a former Masonic building, inside a 78,810-square-foot space that was refinished to house the museum's collection.

Works originate as early as the 16th century, with artists such as Lavinia Fontana, Judith Leyster, Rachael Ruysch and Clara Peters, all European artists who clearly possessed some form of art education, but whose personal records were not necessarily maintained. (Fontana's father was a famous Italian painter, and she even had works commissioned to her personally.)

Eighteenth century artists includ Marianne Loir, Elisabeth-Louise Vigee Lebrun and Angelica Kauffman, all of whom developed successful painting careers to support their families. Nineteenth century artists encompass some popularly-known names, such as Mary Cassatt, Jennie Augusta, Camille Claudette, and Rosa Bonheur; some of their art now includes sculptures as well as paintings. The 20th and 21st centuries feature works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Alice Baily and Lola Alvarez Bravo -- women who became household names as the women's liberation movement thrust them into the public spotlight.

Beyond commissioned paintings, the work of women artisans is also featured. There's an extensive collection of silver created by 18th and 19th century Irish and English silversmiths, for example. The temporary exhibits include Australian Aboriginal art, contemporary work from Turkey, haute couture, quilting, native American pottery, and art by women in ancient Mexico and Peru.

HelloWashingtonDC Tip: Lectures, tours and educational programs for children are held at the museum. Check out the museum's programs and tours website for details. There are also films, readings, music concerts by women musicians, and programs for families and teens. Every first Sunday of the month is a brunch held at the cafe, and an annual Spring Gala is held each April.

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