Valdeen Shears-Neptune
Twenty years ago one artist decided that women should have more of a voice in the industry. It was the birth of the Women in Art Organization. Launched with just 25 members on July 20, 1996, at the Normandie Hotel, St Ann’s, Fraulein Rudder was at its helm.
The organisation has grown to 200-plus members to date. It also boasts a connection with hundreds of international women artists through its website and Facebook pages. Current president of Women in Art, Michelle Tappin-Davis, shared some of that journey.
“She (Rudder) started this essentially to promote the work of local women artists in an industry that has traditionally been weighted against them,” she said. Rudder was president from 1996–2012.
Tappin-Davis said it’s their annual group exhibition members really look forward to. This year that event comes off on September 19, from 6 pm, at the Gallery at Fine Art, Woodbrook. It runs until October 1.
“Greater emphasis will also be placed on the women artists in Tobago as well as increased participation in events (there). This year’s Tobago Show for the Women in Art will launch at the Art Gallery, Lowlands, on October 14 and continue until October 28.”
Concurrently with the launch of this exhibition, the group will host its annual weekend retreat in Tobago, she added. The organisation, she said, has held true to Rudder’s core vision. Nerine Peters and Noreen Carrington-Dickson carried that vision as presidents from 2012 to May this year, when Tappin-Davis took over.
“Fraulein wanted to and certainly achieved the promotion of more of an appreciation of art. Women got the much-needed space to exhibit their work, annually, an avenue to develop the technical skills of its members as well as aspiring girls and boys. Then there is also the plus of networking with women artists worldwide, and participating in field trips throughout our beautiful country, often inspiring new pieces of artwork from members,” she said.
With Tappin-Davis’ election, a management team was also appointed to oversee the implementation of several new initiatives. In September, Women in Art will showcase its new website, calling cards for the brand and a written declaration of its vision and mission.
In keeping with Rudder’s intent to instil and foster support for young artists, next year’s Women in Art Biennial Art Competition for Secondary Schools will see the introduction of a film category. The competition will be launched in October with results announced in March 2017.
“It is open to both boys and girls and is designed to foster a healthy competitive spirit among students, provide incentives to continue making art, enable students to meet and exchange ideas, create an appreciation of visual arts, but most of all, it allows us to play our part in creating a culture of fairness and equal opportunities for both girls and boys,” she said.
The group will also host a visual arts SBA workshop at Hillview College, where she is a visual arts teacher. The intent is to provide students with an opportunity to connect with live artists as well as to complete their assignments, she said. The organisation will host its first pre-Christmas dinner in November.
Carnival 2017 will see the group’s first offerings in the small band category of Kiddies’ Carnival, followed by the organisation’s first family/ fun day, scheduled for the month of April.
“At this event, Women in Art will offer free membership to all students under 18 years,” she said. In July, the organisation hosts its very first AGM, she added.
Rudder has a particular passion for youths, as her artistic abilities shone from as early as nine; she sold her first piece of art just one year later.
Tappin-Davis, who grew up exposed to art through her father’s active and dedicated involvement in Carnival, in design and construction, said she shares this same passion. Both women are also accredited with long and illustrious careers in the art fraternity.
Tappin-Davis assured that this shared passion, along with Women in Art’s growing, enthusiastic membership, will see the organisation through its next 20 years.
More info: Visit the Women in Art Facebook page or go to: womeninart-tt.org.