WOV Addresses The Pandemic on October 3, 2020

COVID19 Exhibition runs through November 14, 2020

Twelve WOV artists showcase their work and tell their tales of creating art and living their lives during one of America's most defining moments in history--a global pandemic during three time ticked slots on October 3, 2020. Also how fast can you make a face mask? Learn one easy way at the event! More info here.

WOV Does COVID Art

 

WOV is proud to announce they are the first exhibition at PCA&M since COVID shut downs began in March of 2020. Our show will feature work by: Lynn b.,  Christine Bethea, Jo-Anne Bates, Ruth Bedian, Elizabeth Ashe Douglas, Mayota Hill, Annette Jackson, Charlotte Ka, Altha Pittrell, Dominique Scaife, Janet Watkins, Ruth Ward. The exhibition runs through Saturday, November 14. You can make a reservation by calling 412-361-0455. Our reception is Sat. Oct 3, 2020 from 5-8 pm. There are 3 time slots. You must get a timed ticked to attend at pghartsmedia.org. Artists Talks and COVID-related art activity. For more info, use our FACEBOOK button in right hand column. Event is FREE, 

Two works by Lynn b., a WOV artist who has expelled her full last name to unhinge relations to any ancestral slave master and who uses a lower case b, to further devalue its origins. Left: You Don't Say  Right: I'm Ok, You're OK

NEWS AND VIEWS/ JUNE 2020

WOV Joined ARTSBURGH. But if you are an artist, you can too. It's the "black and yellow" way to promote arts and culture events in and around  Pittsburgh.The website is hosted by GPAC and is connected to more than 40 museums and cultural institutions in the region. That's a lot of free event advertising for very little effort.

Annette Jackson

Annette Jackson isn't letting the pandemic stop her creative streak. She's been inspired to work on a series of mixed media pieces that include paint, fiber and found objects. Look to see them exhibited in an upcoming show

LaVerne Kemp

LaVerne Kemp does it again! Just earning the Kent Rockwell Award last month, she snagged the Kiskiminetas Spring School Award--Will's Gift-- in June! In a congratulatory letter from the Kiski School Communications Director, Craig O'Lear, the award is said to honor E. William Turley, one of Kiski's finest educators, to be given to a working artist in the state of Pennsylvania. It's the hope of the school to build one of the finest art archives in the area. Kemp's work was hailed as "Exceptional and Distinctive."

Jackson Art

Kemp Couturier 

MOKA, which is a hybrid of two names: Mobutu "Mo" Reynolds and Charlotte "Ka." have busy planning a grand opening. They are expanding their venue at 2297 Centre Avenue to become a "Jazz Gallery." MOKA will soon feature musicians from across the country and even host events in a format that resembles the "Gong Show," for kids in the neighborhood who have few places to display their talents. And all this while WOV member Charlotte Ka is working on a exhibition that will be held next month in New York as a result of her Advancing Black Arts Grant.

Charlotte Ka

"Mo" and Jazz band members @ MOKA

Christine Bethea

Remembering last summer, Christine Bethea, picks a favorite inspirational photos from a visit to the Mosaic Gardens of Philadelphia with her daughter, Brigette Bethea and Grandson, Chase. Should you ever go on this adventure, she highly recommends you take a child. You will not have truly seen these marvels half as well without their unique perspective

Through-way of  assemblage

Painting by Charlotte Ka

WOV NEWS AND VIEWS/ MAY 2020

A Look At What WOV Women Are Doing!

Photo by Jared Murphy, City Paper

One of our most prolific artists, Dominique Scaife is developing a new doll business. "I'm filling a niche that's not being filled," said Scaife."Sink or swim,"she mused about living in the COVID19 era, "I'm going to keep reinventing myself." Scaife is self-taught, and once she discovered clay, she just kept practicing her craft. Then, she said, "peace came and creativity evolved." Visit her store. (More on Scaife  here)

Internationally renowned, Tina Brewer, a Governor's Award  winner,  has been working with the Westmoreland Museum of Art. Check out these videos on her quilting expertise.(click here or here) One of her quilts is part of their current exhibition: African American Art in the 20th Century                                               

Janis Burley Wilson rocks a mask

LaVerene Kemp, an iconic weaver, textile artist and jewelry designer, has joined the ranks of women making stylish face masks for sale. She creates them in fabrics that especially appeal to African-Americans. Contact LaVerne to get one here. And see her amazing website which features shaws and wraps so incredibly soft they've been compared to mink! Kemp is also a member of Origins, a division of MonMade, that supports African American artists and entrepreneurs. Origins recently held an exhibition at Concept Art Gallery (see it here) featuring innovative and expressive work from the regions top emerging and established talents. Kemp walked away with the Rockwell Award, given once a year to honor and further the career of a noted artist.

Janet Waktins, is one of  WOV's talented CFO's. She, like Kemp, is a member of Origins, a division of MonMade. Watkins came from a banking background. "I didn't even know I was an artist, "she once stated before becoming a guild selling sensation. Here find, Janet Watkins Ceramics, which is also on Instagram. Watkins creates whimsical "Potheads,"and vessels for plants, and a celebrated series of playful figurines.

Janet Watkins

Janet Watkins Ceramics

Through Origins, connections with PG &H, Watkins offers a rotation of products: Jewelry sculpture and home goods. Watkins' art pieces are predominately clay. They are formed and built by hand. Her studio is currently at the Union Project in Highland Park.

A section of the Origins Exhibit at Concept Art Gallery

WOV Creates New Website

Ashley Jones

WOV's PR and Marketing Committee has created an exciting new website! Under the creative direction of WOV Graphic Designer, Ashley Jones, the website finally shows off the multiple talents of WOV members in vivid color.
Said Lynn B., PR and Marketing Chair, "Christine Bethea, has given our blog an incredible face-lift.  And Women of Visions deserved a website that makes our talented membership standout. Many people aren't aware WOV Inc. is the oldest running arts organization established by women of color in the country. Please visit our site for updates and feel free to donate. Your donations contribute to our goals and help us to expand our vision."

....Which includes wonderful plans for our 40th Anniversary in 2021. But more on that later...To visit the website click here.

Section of the Colorisim Installation by Ashley Jones

2019--WOV's Documentary and "Power" Year with Added "Soulful Stuff"

WOV Inc. Members and Friends at Pittsburgh Media & Film

Two special events
were the focus of 2019:
WOV Oral Histories Film Premiere at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and a key arts collaboration with the August Wilson Center.

Past President, Harriette Meriwether acted as Lead Artist for these two special projects.


Women of Visions, Inc. Presents an Oral History Documentary
Where: Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media
Simmons Hall, Lower Level
6300 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh , PA

For WOV's first film premiere, people were invited to come out and meet the founding members, existing members, mentors and friends, who had provided sources of information that echoed stories of the past, present and future, for a better understanding of WOV history. These oral history interviews, artists talks, and workshops are captured in a documentary filmed and edited by Randall Coleman.

When: Saturday, November 2, 2019
Time: 7:30 PM to 9 PM

Where: Simmons Hall, Lower Level
6300 Fifth Avenue



Women of Visions Presents
an Exhibition based on 
"Black Power" Models
SEATS OF POWER


Seats Of Power paid tribute to sung and unsung heroes, mentors and sources of inspiration that echo stories of the past, present and future. Seats ofPower honors teachable moments in the lives of Women's of Visions, Inc. and helps to shape  their character and their art. Curated by Kilolo Lucket.

 Guest Speakers                                                

                                   Renee Stout                                                         
                                 

                                                           

                                                                                                                             Bing Davis

In December of 2019, several WOV members banded together in the second year of an experiment, with organizer Christine Bethea, to create a holiday art fair for the African-American market. Vendors included Mary Martin, LaVerne Kemp, Janet Watkins, Christine Bethea and Charlotte Ka along with Biko, Norman Brown, and  Errol "Mobutu" Reynolds. He and WOV Member Charlotte Ka hosted the event at their gallery MOKA in the Hill District. Phoro Norman Brown , Mixed Media artist at his booth/;Photo right, /flier with his art

Mary Martin with handmade ceramics and Laverne Kemp with her designer jewelry

2018--Art on the Walls: A retrospective Moment @ GPAC

This exhibit was a selection of artworks from artists' personal collection displayed at GPAC, 
September 2018-January 2019 

Greater Pittsburgh arts Council

810 Penn Ave

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Women of Visions, Inc., founded in 1981, was formed to recognize the art of African American women, by mentoring, providing exhibition opportunities, and professional development in seeking artistic resources not easily obtainable or available. The artist represent a diverse group of artistic talents and styles, to include ceramics, collage, digital arts, fiber arts, jewelry making, mixed media, painting, photography, print making and sculpture.

Parts Patterns and Pieces

Parts, Patterns, and Pieces through September 17, 2017: 
Society of Contemporary Craft BNY ​Satellite Gallery​ 
500 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

This interdisciplinary exhibit features artworks exploring visual expressions related to Black hair. From intuitive geometry to strands of decorative resistance, these varied and rich expressions innovate and integrate cultural notions of identity, adornment and beyond. Please stop by the BNY Satellite Gallery and enjoy this  multi-media exhibit.  The satellite gallery is located in the "T" station lobby of BNY Mellon in downtown Pittsburgh and is open daily from 6:00 AM through midnight. 

35th ANNIVERSARY/ PATTERNS OF INJUSTICE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

Women of Visions at Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickley, hosted their 35th Anniversary event highlighting "Patterns of Injustice." Women of Visions artists will feature work touching upon societal ills which continue to tear at the fabric of freedom in the United States This special event, which started with an opening reception September 23, 2016 and ended November 4, 2016 with a lecture by artist and historian Elizabeth Asche Douglas. Special Guests during the time of the exhiition also included Congressman, John Lewis on Oct. 8th.

Mary Martin
and family
(above)
Altha Pitrell (left) and
Elizabeth  Douglas
Photos:
Pittsburgh
Courier

2016 and WOV-land Expands.....Exhibitions, Projects and Ten New Members!

Wov members @ Artrsmiths show with juror, Kilolo Lucket

WOV is proud to welcome the following members:

Lynne B.

Ruth Bedian

Richena Brockinson

Brenda Brown

Celeta Hickman

Annette Jackson

Charlotte Ka

Christiane Leach
Gail Manker

Njaimeh Njie

Altha Pittrell

There's a lot going on with Women of Visions Inc. for our 35th Anniversary year! We just wrapped up our show at Artsmiths in Mt. Lebanon, and are now preparing for our next show at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild from July 5-August 5. More info to come! In the meantime, look what WOV members are up to....

Mayota Hill

Mayota Hill has 2 works selected by Chiz Gallery for its Salon des Refuses (Salon of the Rejected) exhibition.  The original Salon des Refuses was an art exhibition held in Paris in 1863, showing works that had been rejected by the official Paris Salon exhibition jurors.  The artists protested vehemently after so many paintings were rejected, and because of this, Emperor Napoleon 111 ordered a special exhibition which could display their rejected work.  Hence the name, Salon des Refuses.  The juror's tastes were considered conservative and academic.  Artists who exhibited inSalon des Refuses included Manet, Whistler, Cezanne, Pissaro.  Manet exhibited his famous painting, Le Dejeuner sur l'herbe, officially regarded as a scandalous affront to taste.  Sooo--- you never know, do yuh? The exhibit opens June 26. 

Christine Bethea PTC Award

Member, Christine Bethea recently won an award as producer of the annual event GA/GI Fest (Geek Art/Green Innovator's Festival) from the Pittsburgh Technology Council. GA/GI has been named as one of Pittsburgh's Top Ten projects in Arts and Technology. The award was given at a special ceremony at the prestigious Fairmount Hotel, in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition, her event is part of visual showing of the city's best projects at the Pittsburgh airport. Visitors get to view it as they wait to board airplanes.

Asche Douglas Gallery

Elizabeth Asche Douglas has been honored as the only artist from Beaver County to be selected for the 2016 State of the Art Exhibition, a showcase highlighting the talent, creativity and diversity of Pennsylvania's established and emerging artists. The exhibtion includes 117 works from 34 counties. The work will be on view from June 26 through September 11, 2016 at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. "Betty" Douglas, in addition to being a nationally known visual artist, is also an accomplished Jazz singer.