Tunbridge Artist Wins Contest

The Vermont Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts has announced the winner and nine finalists for exhibition of their work in Washington, DC. Nearly 100 women artists from women artists from Vermont responded to the juried competition. Independent Curator Mara Williams, Fleming Museum Director Janie Cohen and Amy Donator from the Middlebury Museum reviewed submissions with the help of the Vermont Arts Council.

The textile art of winning entrant Elisabeth Billings of Tunbridge will be included in "From the States," an exhibition planned for spring 2003. Finalists include Patricia Burleson, Janet McKenzie, Lynn Newcomb, Sue Rees and Kathleen Schneider. Also selected were Kathryn Lipke Vigesaa, Meg Walker, Dana Wigdor and Barbara Zucker. An exhibition for the finalists is being planned.

A gala reception will be held Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fleming Museum in Burlington to honor the art of Vermont women and particularly the work of Billings and the other finalists. This event will feature Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, founder and chair of the National Museum.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts was founded in 1981 to amend and reform traditional histories of art. Located in a spectacular 1908 landmark building just a few blocks from the White House, it is the first and only museum dedicated solely to celebrating the diverse artistic achievements of women, and assuring the place of women in contemporary art. The newly formed Vermont Committee is one of twenty-eight states representing the NMWA mission.

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