Western Spirit offers landmark exhibition of 25 female western artists
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is announcing the opening of ‘The Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting,’ which opens on Tuesday, July 2.
This landmark exhibition features nearly 50 works by 25 influential women artists, generously donated by Fran and Edward Elliott in 2020, according to a press release.
This collection represents one of the most significant donations of artwork by women to an American institution. It highlights the pivotal role women artists played in the development of modern Western art, the release states.
The Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting showcases the contributions of trailblazing women artists active in Arizona from the late territorial period through the early 20th century.
These artists were drawn to Arizona by its dramatic landscapes, vibrant desert hues, unique light, and rich cultural history, Western Spirit officials tell the Digital Free Press.
“Fran and Edward Elliott’s remarkable gift has allowed us to bring to light the extraordinary contributions of these pioneering women artists,” said Todd Bankofier, CEO and executive director of Western Spirit. “The Women of the Southwest celebrates their artistic achievements and tells the inspiring story of their resilience and passion. We are honored to share this important part of Arizona’s artistic legacy with our community and visitors worldwide.”
Highlights of the exhibition include works by Lillian Wilhelm Smith, the first woman to paint the Rainbow Bridge and illustrator of Zane Grey’s novels; Kate Cory, the first resident artist to extensively paint and photograph the Hopi at the First and Third Mesas; Jessie Benton Evans, a catalyst behind the first art show at the Arizona State Fair in 1915; and Marjorie Thomas, who established the first artist studio in Scottsdale.
“This exhibition is a testament to the formidable impact these women artists had on shaping the perception of the American Southwest,” said Betsy Fahlman, professor of art history at Arizona State University. “Their work, often created under challenging conditions, reveals their profound connection to the region’s landscapes and cultures. The Women of the Southwest is a vital resource for understanding Arizona’s rich and diverse history of art.”
