This resource guide explores the archival collections of three international festivals of women artists housed at the Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA).
Held over 15 years and on three continents, the festivals coincided with - but were organized separately from - the United Nations World Conferences on Women and promoted the work of women artists from around the world. The archival collections contain planning materials, correspondence, fliers, posters and unique pieces of art, a sampling of which is provided here.
As documents of the creation of an international network of women artists, these collections are prime for research on art, feminism, international organizing and the history of women in art.
Organized alongside three World Conferences on Women organized by the United Nations, the festivals occurred in three places over 15 years:
1. International Festival of Women Artists, Copenhagen, Denmark (1980)
2. Focus International, Nairobi, Kenya (1985)
3. Global Focus, Beijing, China (1995).
The brainchild of artist Susan Schwalb, the art festivals sprung from an awareness of common concerns: discrimination in galleries, museums, teaching jobs and art history books. Described by participant and organizer Cindy Lyle as a catalyst for the creation of an international community and network of women artists, the festivals included literary readings, films, videos, slideshows of work, performances, panel discussions and exhibitions. The only rule for entry was that the work must be created by a woman and “depict an issue or a statement of concern to women and must relate directly to the dialogue or the spirit of the Conference."
Organizing Committee for the International Festival of Women Artists
Susan Schwalb, Project Director
Coordinating Committee
Nancy Cusick
Sylvia Moore
Cynthia Navaretta
Gloria Oreinstein
Ellouise Schoettler
Jacqueline Wray
From left, Jackie Wray, Susan Schwalb, Nancy Cusick, Ellouise Schoettler and Sylvia Moore
“Imagine the beauty of women artists from everywhere talking, sharing exchanging viewing each other's works and ideas. Imagine what could come out of it. A true network of women in art and beyond.” Letter, Susan Schwalb to Tove Burup, writer and contributor to the Kvindetryk Women's Press, September 27, 1979
This archival image captures the original organizers, seen here on the occasion of their first meeting. The inaugural World Conference on Women took place in Mexico City in 1975 and had no formal organization of art or artist concerns. This group, headed by Susan Schwalb, came together to advocate for art within the framework of an international conference.
