St. Catherine University hosted the Women’s Art Institute’s 20th Anniversary exhibition gallery from Sept. 7 – Oct. 19.

The gallery was held in the St. Kate’s Catherine G. Murphy Gallery and featured artwork addressing the question “what is forbidden?” from 60 students who have participated in the Women’s Art Institute course over its 20-year history.

“This was a huge anniversary. It was a really big deal,” Nicole Watson, director of the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery said.

The exhibition gallery allowed viewers to see the evolution of the work from artists who have taken the Women’s Art Institute course.

“It reflects the breath of the program’s years, because there were a couple artists from 1999 in the show, all the way through 2019,” Women’s Art Institute Director Patrica Olson said.

The six-week long exhibition gallery provided viewers the opportunity to see 20 years worth of art, but for some, the artwork addressed larger issues.

“The women that participate in the Women’s Art Institute program are the ones who are addressing the complexities of our world right now,” Watson said. “We live in a world right now that is very politically divisive and sometimes it’s hard to know how to engage in ways that can make a difference. I feel like art has the ability to that.”

Beyond asking what is forbidden, the artwork also addressed what it’s like to be a woman in contemporary society.

“Especially with this particular year in politics, and being on an all women’s college,” St. Kate’s senior Emelin Ventura said. “I think it really exemplifies what it is to be a person who identifies as a woman, at this time, at this university.”

The Women’s Art Institute rigorous program created a place for artists to further develop their craft and career.

“The thing that is amazing to me about the Women’s Art Institute is it becomes a significant jumping off point for artist,” Watson said. “It is hugely instrumental in progressing the careers of women artists who take the program.”

The Women’s Art Institute program is offered every June at St. Kate’s. Students can receive class credit for the course; however, the program is available for all “serious artists that want to challenge themselves and grow as artists” according to Watson.

“When the artists are enrolled in the program, they are here every day. They get a studio space in the building, they are typically doing critical readings and discussion. They get presentations from visiting artist and art historians. The other part of their time is really spent making art,” Watson said.

The Women’s Art Institute was founded in 1999 at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design by Minneapolis College of Art and Design professor Elizabeth Erickson.

“(Erickson) recognized that women’s voices were missing in these conversations in art early on,” Watson said. “She realized that women artists were being left out of not just the contemporary history of art, but left out of political engagement, social activism—their voices weren’t being heard even if they were doing really important things.”

After being director of the program for 13 years, Erickson retired from MCAD in 2012.

“That’s when we brought it over to St. Catherine and I became the director,” Olson said.

Olson, who had known Erickson for several decades before becoming director, believed that the program fit well with St. Kate’s mission.

“One of the reasons why it’s such a good fit for St. Catherine University is because one of the missions of the University is to educate women to lead and influence,” Olson said.

Consequently, the Women’s Art Institute also strives to empower women.

“The Women’s Art Institute is a hugely empowering experience for the women that participate in it,” Watson said. “The women that participate in the Women’s Art Institute program are the ones who are addressing the complexities of our world right now. And they are doing it through art.”

Burke Spizale can be reached at spiz8477@stthomas.edu.