Women of Metal

An exhibition celebrating the innovative works and groundbreaking accomplishments of women metalsmiths opened in the Crossman Gallery at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater this fall thanks in part to a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).  The NEA grant was awarded in the category of “Access to Artistic Excellence” in the field/discipline of visual arts.

The National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) also played a part in supporting this exhibit. In their project "Women in Metalsmithing" Erica Meier and Katie Redford presented documentation of artwork by first- and second-generation women metal smiths. "For our project, we want to share how many powerful women created the history of metalsmithing," Meier said.

The “Women of Metal” exhibition provided a stage where the artists’ work was examined and the professional, historical and cultural influences involved were evaluated. Special attention was given to the roles of education and mentorship in the professional development of the artists.

“Women of Metal” included the presentation of artwork by first- and second-generation women metalsmiths with a professional and educational relationship to Wisconsin.  Project organizers Teresa Faris and Susan Messer created a weeklong public forum to celebrate the opening of the exhibit consisting of an illustrated lecture, a visiting artist panel presentation and a two-day studio workshop.

Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Communication Richard Haven said “The Women of Metal exhibition was the culmination of more than a year's work by Professors Sue Messer and Teresa Faris and a team of hardworking students. While the exhibition focuses on some of the outstanding women metal artists in the nation, the project also demonstrates the multifaceted ways students learn at UW-Whitewater and especially in our nationally accredited art department.”