Celebrating Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month in March, Columbus Museum of Art joins the National Museum of Women in the Arts and hundreds of museums around the U.S., in the third annual #5WomenArtists campaign. “Can you name five women artists?” A seemingly simple question with a not-so-simple answer—even for arts lovers. #5WomenArtists is designed to spark conversation about gender equality in the arts. This year’s campaign focuses on women artists of color. The truth is that women—especially women of color—have never been treated equally in the art world, and today they remain dramatically underrepresented and undervalued in museums, galleries, and auction houses. This imbalance goes well beyond the art world, of course, but art plays a vital role in exploring issues of gender in society.

Ways to Participate

Open Studio, Saturdays 1:00-4:00 PM
Every Saturday in March you can explore the work of African American photographer Carrie Mae Weems featured in the Family Pictures exhibition, and then make art that tells your family’s story. Cost is included with general admission, no registration requested.

Artist at Large: LaTosha Matthews, Opens in March
A multidisciplinary community arts activist in Columbus, LaTosha Matthews’ mission is to “help the community experience the arts in ways they would not imagine.” Her life-sized standees depicting African American women and girls, in locations around CMA, consider how art history and the media portray women.

Family Pictures Exhibition
Explore the new Family Pictures exhibition. Of the nine artists represented in the exhibition, six of them are women artists of color exploring the ways Black artists have portrayed a range of familial relationships, from blood relatives to close-knit neighborhoods to queer communities. Look for the work of LaToya Ruby Frazier, Deana Lawson, Lorraine O’Grady, Sondra Perry, Ming Smith, and Carrie Mae Weems.

Women Artist Drop-In Tours
All the public tours in March feature women artists. Check the calendar for dates and times.

Yoga@CMA 
Join CMA and Replenish Thursday nights for yoga and meditation in the galleries inspired by artist Faith Ringgold for March. From 6:00 – 7:00 pm, enjoy yoga for everyday life followed by meditation from 7:00 – 7:30 pm. Gallery location rotates weekly. Cost of yoga is donation-based and supports efforts by Replenish to ensure that all people have a space to do yoga. All are welcome, no registration requested.