Recently, a group of women convened a Winter Salon in Cohoes, NY. The idea was for women artists to share their work in an informal setting to support each other in their right to self-expression, build connections, and overcome their underrepresentation in traditional art venues. And so began WAC, or Women Artist Community, the Capital Region’s source for women artists.

Making Art and Impact

We all benefit from spaces where we can build connections, support each other, and work for greater representation, especially in art. Despite the fact that women make up at least half of visual artists, the majority of work on public display and in private collections is art made by men.

WAC does more than encourage each other. They have started organizing group exhibitions open to the public. For some of their first organized exhibits, the group has chosen women and children as partial beneficiaries—a portion of all art sales will support women and children through Unity House and the Children’s Advocacy Center in Schenectady.

Why Do Women Artists Lack Representation?

WAC explains that there are a plethora of societal and cultural reasons that cause women to neglect their right to self-expression. These include:

-Responsibilities to children, spouses, aging parents and careers that support their household.

-Lack of life balance to prioritize time for creative practice.

-Not enough confidence in their own abilities combined with little exposure to role models in the art world.

-Their work is overlooked or dismissed by galleries, museum institutions, society at large.

WAC works to address these inequities by encouuraging women who pursue self-expression. They have two upcoming exhibits:

Mohawk Valley Art Shoppe and Last Nerve Tattoo
101 State Street, Schenectady
Opening reception: May 16, 5:00 – 9:00 pm, through July 27
Proceeds support the Child Advocacy Center. Hosted by Gara and Micah Williams.

Art 66
9297 NY Rte 66, (across from Hollywood Drive-in), Averill Park
Opening reception 5:00 – 9:00 pm, Friday June 6 through June 30.
Gallery open Thursday and Friday evenings 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in June.
Proceeds support Unity House, Troy.