Series Hopes To Bring Positive Attention To Artwork By Women

RIDGEFIELD — The first in a series of four forums entitled “Positive Power: Women Artists of Connecticut” will be held at The Aldrich Museum on Sunday, September 10, from 2 to 4 pm.

The “Positive Power” series is sponsored by The Women’s Caucus for Art, Connecticut chapter, in partnership with the Ridgefield chapter of American Association of University Women. The two advocacy groups believe that in this, the first year of the 21st Century, the time has come to redress the continuing endemic neglect of women in the arts.

The goal of the series is to increase awareness of the important work being done by women artists in Connecticut, work that embodies the positive aspects of women’s creative power made visible through exhibition, art discourse and documentation.

The premier forum at The Aldrich Museum will explore the philosophies and feminist ethics that motivate and inspire the artwork of accomplished artists. The general public and art community are invited to share in the discussion, to be moderated by Suzanne Benton, that will explore the integration of feminism with the creative process.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the award-winning filmmaker and Riverside resident Deborah Boldt; the painter and performance artist Janet Luongo (Norwalk); and Ridgefield photographer Yolanda Vasquez-Petrocelli. In addition, there will also be the opportunity to view a weekend exhibition of the artworks of the 12 “Positive Power” artists participating in the statewide series.

The second forum will take place at Yale University Art Gallery on Sunday, November 5. In addition to a panel discussion, the renowned feminist art critic and author Arlene Raven will speak.

The third panel discussion will take place at The Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Sunday, February 4. The fourth and concluding panel will be hosted by The Discovery Museum, Bridgeport on Sunday, March 4. All programs will run from 2 to 4 pm.

At the concluding panel discussion, the noted sculptor, printmaker and story-teller Suzanne Benton will give a performance based on multi-cultural tales, myths and legends she has collected throughout her extensive travels. The tales will be portrayed through steel and bronze masks Ms Benton has created.

In addition, The Discovery Museum will mount a month-long exhibition of artworks of the 12 panelists who will have participated in the four forums.

The program is partially funded by the Lewis Fund of Ridgefield and private contributions. There is a suggested donation of $5 for the September 10 forum. For directions call the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art at 203/438-4519. For further information, contact Evelyn Kurt at 791-8017.