‘Women’s Voices’ art exhibit planned at SIU

An exhibit that features the work of 23 area female artists was scheduled to open early this week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s University Museum. 

The seven-week exhibit is scheduled to be on display through March 21 at the museum, which is located in Faner Hall on the SIUC campus. 

“You’ll see everything from puppets to glass, as well as paintings and multimedia work,” said Paulette Aronson, a participating artist in the exhibit. 

Aronson, of Union County, is an SIUC alumna. Aronson earned her bachelor of fine arts degree from SIUC.  

She taught art locally at Egyptian Community School Unit 5, Anna School District 37 and Shawnee Community College before retiring from full-time teaching. 

Artists whose works will be featured in the exhibit include: 

Aronson, Lisa Barnes, Laura Basanta, Katie Burk, Kari Collins, Prydnya Dharmadhikari, Eileen Doman, Teresa Fix.

Sue Gindlesparger, Karen Linduska, Rachael Malcolm Ensor, Renee Mavigliano, Linda McMillen, Barb Naas.

Mary O’Hara, DeSande R, Melody Shimada, Sarah Shoot, Ty Shults, Joan Skiver-Levy, Jan Thomas, Tabitha Smith Tripp, Jan York.

Aronson said the exhibit is the right time for something like this to happen with the current political climate, empowering women in the national discussion, and the anniversary of the women’s suffrage initiative. 

That initiative, which gave women the right to vote, is celebrating its 100th anniversary as the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed in August 1920. 

University Museum regularly rolls out new exhibits. 

Last year Wes Stoerger, curator of exhibits, had a plan to sponsor exhibits featuring community artists. 

At that point, Teresa Fix, a former assistant director of Carbondale Community Arts who has an extensive knowledge of local artists and their work, approached Stoerger and proposed a show of women’s art centered on a theme of “the need to create.” 

Fix then began to contact area artists and inviting them to exhibit their work. 

“We hope this can become a yearly exhibit,” Aronson said. 

University Museum is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The museum is closed on Sunday and Monday.