The women artists of early Taos were often the wives, sisters, or daughters of their more well known male counterparts. This exhibit is a ‘sampler’ of a few of the women who were artists during the early years of Taos as an art colony. Most of these women were professionally trained, attended art schools in the United States and in Europe. All of the women featured in the exhibit were born before women had the right to vote. Equal rights, the right to self-determination for women was a fairly new radical concept so it is remarkable that although women in the early part of the 20th century were encouraged to put their endeavors after their husband’s work and their families, several made a name for themselves and their work can be found in museums and private collections around the world. Whether or not they continued professionally, these women were artists. No matter what they turned their hand to, it was with an artist’s eye and they brought art into their and their families lives. After WWII, when the third wave of artists started making Taos their home, the dynamics not only in the artist couples lives but in society began to change. The women not only had their careers, they quite often kept their names. Featured artists: Margaret Brandenburg Baerreis, Helen Greene Blumenschein, Mary Shepard Greene Blumenschein, Dorothy Schmalhorst Benrimo, Edith Evelyn Higgins Cheetham, Lucille Blazo Wrenn Couse Virginia Walker Couse, Elizabeth Case Harwood, Rebecca Salsbury James, Dora Kaminsky, Barbara Latham, Helen Campbell Martin, Ila McAfee, and Mary Monrad Frederiksen Ufer. exhibit through May 20th 2012
Here are events planned in other Taos venues, in museums, galleries, and performing arts spaces throughout town. To have your art event on this calendar, fill out our Add an Event form.
Out of the Background: Women Artists of Early Taos at Blumenschein Home
February 10 - May 18, 2012
Blumenschein Home and Museum
The women artists of early Taos were often the wives, sisters, or daughters of their more prominent male counterparts. Many of these women put their artistic endeavors after their husband’s work and their families. This exhibit brings their art to the forefront. Included will be works by Evelyn Gaspard, Mary Shepard Greene Blumenschein and others.
March 6 - September 15, 2012
Taos Town Hall on Camino de las Placita
Over 50 paintings, photographs, sculptures, drawings, and prints created by women working in Taos in 2012 Part of the "Art in Town Hall" series of public exhibits, open weekdays, 8:00 to 5:00. Curated by Paula Valentine
2 Short Plays Samuel Beckett and Sam Shepard
March 9 - 18, 2012
Location: The Playhouse: 1335 Suite L, Gusdorf Rd, Taos
March 9 - 18, 2012
The Playhouse: 1335 Suite L, Gusdorf Rd, Taos
Working Class Theatre presents "Krapp's Last Tape" with Stephen Parks & "Cowboys #2" with Kristian Moore and Damon Klassen. Directed By Ronald J. Usherwood
MARCH 9, 10 at 8 PM Sun. MARCH 11 at 7 PM, and MARCH 15, 16, and 17 at 8 PM Sun. MARCH 18 at 7 PM. Sundays show will have a discussion following the performances Reservations: 575-613-2069 or on line at www.workingclasstheatrenm.org $15 & $10 18 and under
The Art of the Dress: Four Conceptual Fittings at Millicent Rogers Museum
Cultural Threads: The Colcha Revivalat Martinez Hacienda
June 15 - January 6, 2013
Hacienda de los Martinez
Cultural Threads – Nellie Dunton and the Colcha Revival in New Mexico features colchas from the THM’s permanent collections and the hand-colored plates of colcha designs from Nellie Dunton’s the Spanish Colonial Ornament. In the 1930s the Federal Art Project encouraged colcha (a form of embroidery) work in Northern New Mexico. During this time, Nellie Dunton, the former wife of Taos Society of Artists W. Herbert ‘Buck’ Dunton undertook the study of design patterns found on Spanish Colonial colchas. Her published portfolio of hand-colored plates was instrumental in the revival of this art form.
September 2012
Barbara Sayre Harmon: Magic and Mystery at Blumenschein Home
Barbara Sayre Harmon: Magic and Mystery at Blumenschein Home
September 23 - February 3, 2013
Blumenschein Home and Museum
Barbara’s métier is fantasy. Inspired at an early age by Arthur Rackham’s watercolor illustrations in The Wind in the Willows, Barbara explored the art of classical fantasy English watercolor. In her mystical, dreamlike images, she tries to bring about a sense of peace and contemplation in the viewer.
Taos Fall Arts Festival Exhibits at Taos Convention Center
Taos Fall Arts Festival Exhibits at Taos Convention Center
September 28 - October 7, 2012
Taos Convention Center
This festival is the oldest art festival in Taos, starting in 1974. It includes two major art shows – a juried exhibit titled Taos Selects includes a much anticipated "Distinguished Achievement Award Series." The other is Taos Open, as its name implies, an exhibit open to all artists working in Taos in all media. There are museum and gallery openings around Taos, a huge arts and crafts fair, and other events and concerts presented by local businesses. Each year a limited edition poster is printed to commemorate the arts festival.
