Feminine Aesthetics at 709 Penn Gallery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today's date: February 12, 2013
Contact:Sonja Sweterlitsch, Sweterlitsch@trustarts.org

Feminine Aesthetics
Women of Visions, Inc.

709 Penn Gallery
709 Penn Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh, Cultural District
February 22 - March 31, 2013

PITTSBURGH, PA:  In Feminine Aesthetics, the artists of Women of Visions, Inc. address the question, “What is Beauty?” in this special exhibit for Women’s History Month.

“The Feminine Aesthetic is integral to the universe, flowing from grace and aspiration,” says Elizabeth Asche Douglas, Curator of Feminine Aesthetics and President of Women of Visions, Inc. “It is the conflation of sublime opposites, from agonizing birth pains to the exultation of new life.  From the milk of human kindness to a steely determination to endure and overcome all adversity, it embodies the eternal SHE, the being we call Beauty,” says Douglas.  “It is my hope that viewers will find glimmers of the feminine aesthetic mystique in the works of this exhibition.”

Richena Brockinson Phoenix

In Feminine Aesthetics, women artists Annette Jackson, Denise “Mike” Johnson, Mary Martin, Cathleen Richardson Bailey, Tenanche Rose Golden, Vanessa German, JoAnne Bates, Ruth Richardson, Christine McCray Bethea, Richena Brockinson, LaVerne Kemp, Altha Pittrell, and Elizabeth Asche Douglas present their interpretations of what is beautiful, challenging cultural definitions of beauty and identity, celebrating the self, and honoring the beauty in others. Their diverse interpretations range from paintings to digital photography, assemblages, installation art, and fiber art.

 ABOUT WOMEN OF VISIONS GUILD
Women of Visions, Inc. was co-founded in 1981 by Emma Slaughter and the late Juanita Miller. They recognized a need for a visual arts organization of African American women. There were few venues for African American women artists to exhibit professionally in Pittsburgh One of the objectives of creating a group was to provide professional and mentoring support to such artists. Miller and Slaughter, along with a core group of other women artists founded Visions. In 1990, Visions was incorporated under the name Women of Visions and attained non-profit status in 1995.

The mission of Women of Visions, Inc. is to promote the art of African American women through self-promotion and education. To that end, the organization mounts collaborative exhibits with other arts groups and individuals artists, and builds relationships in the arts and lay community both in and outside of Pittsburgh. These experiences offer members resources and opportunities that allow them to grow personally and professionally.

The members of Women of Visions, Inc. represent a diverse sampling of artistic styles and media including ceramics, collage, digital arts, fiber arts, installation art, jewelry, mixed-media, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. A rich and varied expression of the personal, social and political experience of African American women is voiced. Today, with an ever-increasing membership, Women of Visions, Inc. continues to nurture and support professional and emerging women artist of color, and to bring to the African American community and the general public the richness of our culture and heritage.

GALLERY DETAILS
709 Penn Gallery is located on 709 Penn Ave. / Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District
Hours: Wed. & Thurs. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun.11 a.m.–5 p.m.
709 Penn Gallery is a Project of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Education & Community Engagement department.
www.TrustArts.org

EXHIBIT DETAILS
Dates:  February 22 – March 31, 2013
Opening Reception:  February 22, 2013   (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Artists’ Talk: March 9, 2013  !1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

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