This newsletter is divided into the following articles. To read any one of these articles, please click on the text of the article title.

Letter from the Director:

Beginning with the New Year, Woman Made Gallery launches a fresh concept for our newsletter. Board Vice-president, Cali Bergold, made it her goal to bring Woman Made News to its next level. Together with Resource Coordinator, Elizabeth Harms, Cali will share the responsibility for producing a provocative and varied quarterly edition that will continue to highlight events at the Gallery in addition to informative news about women in general. Kathy Greenholdt, our new designer, is working to ensure that Woman Made News maintains its professional layout and design.

This year also marks new changes for Gallery staff. Janet Bloch, who has helped to develop this organization to its present professional level and has worked tirelessly for women in the arts since 1993, has resigned her position as Gallery Director in order to devote more of her time to her career as an artist. Janet will still be part of our outreach programs and select grant-writing activities, but we will all miss her daily exuberance and powerful energy at the Gallery. We thank her for the immense amount of work, creativity and love that she has brought to Woman Made Gallery to make it so successful.

The expression, "Too many cooks..." does not ring true at this organization. There can't be too many women working at and for Woman Made. With this in mind, I'd like to introduce Pamela Callahan, who has been active at the Gallery for many years. Pamela began visiting WMG in 1993, and exhibited her work for the first time in 1994. After years of faithful volunteer work, she became Assistant Gallery Director in 1998 and has presently moved up to the position of Gallery Director. Since her involvement with Woman Made Gallery, she has developed her own artistic career and exhibits her paintings regularly in local and national shows.

Associate Director Antje Gehrken has been involved in many activities benefiting the Gallery. Besides offering her musical talents for special occasions, she has masterminded events that joined musical and visual expressions by women. With a Master's degree in music, she led 'Female Express,' a fundraising event that highlighted the talents of local women in the performing arts. Her present CD project, 'Big Fish, Little Fish,' features the music of established and emerging female musicians in Chicago.

Resource Coordinator Elizabeth Harms started her work for WMG as an intern from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in January 1997 and had her first solo show with mixed media artwork at the Gallery last year. Elizabeth's main focus is developing a resource library that includes our ever-growing slide and video registry as well as books and other resource materials for both artists and those interested in learning about women artists in this world.

Artist Sheila Farley Scacco has just recently joined us as Administrative Coordinator and has already impressed us with her organizational skills. Part-timers Brooke Davidson, a student from Northwestern University, and artist Kim Brenner complete the group of effective and dynamic staff members busy at work for women in the arts.

There are many more creative personalities (including the members of our hard-working board) behind the scenes, each who are doing important and necessary work to help make Woman Made grow. Proof of the positive effect of individual participation for the greater good of this organization is the tremendous success that was achieved at our main fundraising event on November 5th, 1999.

Hundreds of people helped to make the Art Auction Benefit a spectacular, beautiful and memorable evening. We give special thanks to Auction Committee Chairperson Susan Ifergan and Fundraising Consultant Janet Beals who both ensured that we surpassed our highest expectations by raising $50,000.00!!! We thank each person for her or his individual contribution, whether it was the donation of artwork, goods, services, time and/or money. Equipped with the knowledge of what worked and what we need to improve, we are looking forward to another great Art Auction coming November.

We are starting out the year 2000 with hopes and dreams for an even greater future for Woman Made Gallery. Will we enter the new millennium and find a permanent home in which to continue our important work for women and the arts? Who will become involved to make a difference in Woman Made's future? Who will participate and share creativity and resources to reach the next step in the evolution of this organization? Could it be YOU? We welcome your participation, dear reader, member and artist. We believe in a full house where ideas come together and are shared. We wish you a great New Year in which each goal you set for yourself is reached through perseverance paired with harmony and peace

Beate Minkovski, Executive Director

Valentine's Bash

Hearts-A-Plenty Party
Woman Made Gallery invaded by Cupid! Grab your honey, sweetie, or cutie (or your best friend, too!) and make plans to join Woman Made for our special, "Hearts-A-Plenty" Valentine's Bash and Check Presentation Party on Thursday, February 10 from 6 to 9pm at Woman Made Gallery, 1900 S. Prairie Avenue. Admission to this February fund-raiser is one dollar for every time your heart has been broken (or $10.00 for those who have been lucky in love). The evening's festivities include live music, aphrodisiac refreshments, and fortune-tellers of love and intrigue. Confess your secret sins or mad crushes to the High Priestess of Love and attach your favorite love poem or pen a new poesy on the "Wall of Love". Party-goers will receive a personalized valentine created by a WMG artist. Also, in gratitude of the love and support given to Woman Made Gallery in its first eight years, the organization will present a check for $1,000 to Genesis House - a local non-profit organization providing alternatives for women wishing to give up their life of prostitution. For more information about the work of Genesis House, see "Worthy Organizations" of this issue of Woman Made News.

Letters to Woman Made

Dear Woman Made:
I wanted to express my pleasure when I received the package containing the calendar in the mail. After almost a year of anticipation, I held my breath for the few minutes it took to have a seat and open the package. Thank you to all involved for creating such a wonderful showcase for women's art to celebrate the millennium. Shereen Boury's crisp, clean layout works beautifully with the varied artwork featured. I am honored to have been selected to participate in Woman Made's calendar, especially to be included in the company of such a talented and diverse group of artists. (I was also surprised to find my artwork featured for the month of November - which was what I had secretly hoped for!) I've enjoyed getting to know you through correspondence and telephone conversations; however, I hopefully will have the chance to visit you in Chicago someday!
Michele LeCompte, Seattle, WA

To all the great women of Woman Made...
A belated thank-you for including me for another year in your Members' Show, the biggest & best yet! I appreciate your support and kind word these past few years. It's been fun watching the Gallery grow as a result of all your dedicated efforts and appreciation of the arts.
Kathleen Waterloo, River Forest, IL

Dear Beate, Janet, Pam and everyone at Woman Made,
I can't tell you how honored I felt to come to the Holiday Bazaar opening and see my work displayed so beautifully - most people have no idea how to display textiles so they inevitable end up hidden in a corner. Thank you, thank you. The entire show was gorgeous. I was also really impressed to see so many of your board members participating and working at the opening. I'm glad I found you. I would be willing to volunteer and get more involved.
Aimee Picard, Chicago, IL

Program For Kids

In our efforts to educate the public on the artistic achievements of women artists throughout history WMG presents its second event for children 6-12 years old in our series HERSTORY TIME with Jennifer La Civita Kimbrough. In "Warming Up With Quilts" children will make their own quilt square in the manner of famous African-American quilters, Harriet Powers and Faith Ringgold. While listening to the music of Africa they will hear fabulous stories, like "Tar Beach" and "Dinner at Aunt Connie's House" by Ringgold the artist, author and illustrator.

Parents ar

Don't Fuss - Get On The Bus!

Celebrate the female spirit with an exciting and enriching day as Woman Made Gallery gears up for its 2nd Annual Art Bus Tour on Saturday, May 6.

The day-long event, designed to raise awareness of women's art, foster community among a variety of art institutions and raise funds for WMG, is the perfect way to meet new friends and explore Chicago's galleries.

The tour will begin at the Gallery with a continental breakfast and meet-'n-greet hour. Next, participants will boa a luxury coach and visit some of the city's finest woman-inspired art galleries and exhibits. Lunch and snacks will be served - plus, back by popular demand - Board Member Cathleen Nagle will lead the group in soul-empowering rituals and energizing exercises to harness our creative power.

Cost is $60 per person and includes all food and beverages, transportation and ritual materials. For more information, or to reserve your space, please call Woman Made at 312-328-0038. Don't miss this exciting event!

Woman Made News Brief

Order Your 2000 WMG Calendar
When is International Women's Day? Gay Pride Month? When does the WMG Member's Show open? You've got questions? We've got the answers and they're all in the Woman Made Gallery Calendar 2000. We still have copies of our beautiful calendar 2000! The calendar features artwork by contemporary women artists, biographies of historical women artists as well as important WGM show opening dates and reminders. Order you calendar for just $7.00 and show your support for Woman Made Gallery and women in the arts. Thank you and happy New Year!

Woman Made Needs You

Do you have some time or talent to share with WMG members? Do you live in the Chicago area or far away? The Gallery is looking for volunteers no matter how close or how far you are. For more information on what we need please call us at 312-328-0038.

Worthy Organizations

Genesis House
There are 50,000 working prostitutes in the city of Chicago. Most experience multiple rapes and violence by their customers, pimps and strangers and are also addicted to some kind of drug.

Genesis House is a recovery home and outreach initiative for women involved in prostitution. With an 80% success rate it is one of the first programs of its kind and the only one in the Midwest. For more information or to make donations contact Genesis House Executive Director Gayle McCoy at 773-868-3733. You can also support Genesis House by attending our Hearts-A-Plenty Valentine Bash on Thursday, February 10, from 6-9 p.m. at the Gallery.

Thumbs Up

Since its beginning in 1993, the Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade has educated women about the importance of early detection and referred them to early detection screening services. The Crusade raises money for non-profit early detection programs in two ways: through the sale of special "pink ribbon" products and through Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day fund-raising walks (the one held in Chicago in June 1999, attracted 24000 walkers and delivered $4.7 million in net proceeds). The Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade is just one of the 30 Avon-sponsored programs that support leading women's health issues around the world. Collectively, these programs make up the Avon Worldwide Fund for Women's Health, a global initiative that began in 1992, which has distributed $65 million to support international women's health programs. For that ... Woman Made Gallery says "thumbs up!" To learn more about the Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade or the Worldwide Fund for Women's Health, visit http://www.avoncrusade.com

THUMBS UP
To Executive Director Joan Pikas and her entire staff and volunteers of The Enterprising Kitchen products that make a difference. The Enterprising Kitchen is a Chicago nonprofit business helping women in poverty work toward self-sufficiency. One hundred percent of their proceeds benefits job training for women. Look for hand-made paper products in the WMG Gift Shop that were created by Enterprising Kitchen artisans plus they are also making super hand-milled soaps such as lavender eucalyptus, soothing sage and our favorite, citrus harmony. For more information, or to order products, call 773-506-3880.

Auction 99 Highlights

Woman Made Nets $50,000 at Successful Benefit Art Auction
Held last November 5th at the Three Arts Club, Woman Made Gallery had promoted its Benefit Art Auction as 'an evening of fun and fabulous art." And by all accounts, the evening well exceeded anyone's expectations. "Our projected goal for the event was to raise $20,000," said Board of Directors Treasurer Margo Jeanchild. "We not only more than doubled that, but the event was an absolute smashing success."

From the heated competition of the silent auction (with more than 200 items to bid on, from restaurant certificates to hand-crafted art) to the delicious food buffets to the entertainment and live auction, guests at the event were treated to a festive and social evening.

"This was the first WMG event I've attended, and I was so impressed by the organization, the caliber of art in the live auction, and, overall, just how much fun I had," said Martin Jantzen, who was the lucky bidder on a painting by Valerie Taglieri.

Janet Bloch and Beate Minkovski kicked off the live auction, conducted by Roberta Kramer, with inspirational speeches and humorous anecdotes about the Gallery. On a more serious note, Minkovski spoke of the critical need for the Gallery to find a permanent home and the goal to open Chicago's first women's art museum. "The time has come for all of us to take that giant step into the future with Woman Made," Minkovski said. "Just like you have supported us so generously this evening, we desperately need your help in the coming year."

The evening was topped off with a 'get up and shout, dance all about" performance by legendary "Daughter of the Blues" Shirley King, who had guests on their feet before the night was over.

On behalf of WMG Board of Directors, staff and Advisory Board, thank you to everyone who volunteered for this event by giving countless hours, unlimited generosity and outstanding support.

Women Are Truly Generous

How powerful are women? Do they care about their communities? Just how generous are they? Here are some interesting facts that were published in the Christian Science Monitor on December 6th, 1999: "The Federal Reserve Board reported that women control over half the personal wealth in the United States. The National Foundation for Women Business owners found that nearly three-fourth of women created their own wealth. Women also make philanthropic decisions independently, even if they are married. With their wealth, according to a study by the National Science Foundation, women donate twice as much money as men."
We here at Woman Made always knew that women are generous and caring!

Library Needs Artwork

The Uptown Branch of the Chicago Public Library is looking for artists to exhibit in the Community Room/Gallery.

For the last two years the Uptown Branch Library has exhibited local professional artists. Available are three walls of exhibition space totaling about 45 feet of linear space 4 feet in height, with movable track lighting. In the past, artists have shown their work individually or in conjunction with others. The usual length of a show has been between one month and four months. Please call Mary Anne Dubach at (312) 744-8400 if you are interested. The fax number is (312) 744-8453.

An Artist You Should Know

As time goes on, women are opening up opportunities to see work by artists other than those schooled in the male Judeo-Christian Western European tradition. The work of Native American Jaune Quick-To-See-Smith's incorporates both traditional and "outsider" elements which brings these two worlds together. Her work is in the collection of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C. and can be viewed on the NMWA Website at www.nmwa.org.

Born in St. Ignatius, Montana, Quick-To-See Smith is of Salish, French, Cree and Shoshone heritage and was raised on the Flathead Reservation. She became an artist in her thirties and was earning her living by art-making while completing her Master's degree at the University of New Mexico.

Her subject matter consists of concerns over the destruction of the environment, governmental oppression of Native American cultures and myths of American cultural identity. Quick-To-See Smith cites such opposing influences as Robert Rauschenberg and traditional Native American Art. Combine that with her use of representational and abstract images and it becomes clear why she refers to herself as a "bridge builder."

Member Profile

Meet Margo Jeanchild, Woman Made Gallery Member and Board of Directors Treasurer

WMG: What is your profession?
MJ: For the last 5 years, I've been an independent consultant working with national service organizations such as AmericCorps and VISTA. Before that I worked for 20 years in management positions with the Peace Corps in the United States and Kenya, Sri Lanka, and China.

WMG: I became interested in Woman Made Gallery because....
MJ: I became interested in Woman Made when I returned from Sri Lanka and found the Gallery in my neighborhood. I was thrilled to have such a wonderful organization so close and started volunteering my time in appreciation of Woman Made's mission. I also love art!

WMG: One of my favorite places in Chicago other than Woman Made Gallery (of course) is...
MJ: One of my favorite places in Chicago is the Chicago Cultural Center. It's one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been in. Kind of like being inside a jewel box. I also love the Lincoln Square area. Lots of nice shops, the old Town School of Folk Music and a wonderful regional library.

WMG: One of my best memories of being in the Gallery is...
MJ: Best memory of the Gallery...too many to name. I loved the day that Hillary Clinton came to the park next door, the first opening in our Prairie avenue space and lots of positive days at the Gallery.

WMG: No one knows that I secretly wanted to be...
MJ: No one knows that I secretly wanted to be Fred Astaire's dancing partner.

WMG: The best advice my mother ever gave me was....
MJ: The funniest advice my mother ever gave me was...just dust before you go to work every morning and your house will always be clean.

WMG: My all time favorite book is....
MJ: My all time favorite book is Gone with the Wind. I love the eternal struggle between Scarlett and Rhett.

WMG: If I could have the perfect Sunday afternoon it would be...
MJ: The perfect Sunday afternoon...curled up with a good book and nowhere to go.

WMG: In ten years I see Woman Made Gallery as being....
MJ: In ten years I see Woman Made as being a leading art organization in the U.S. for Women's art with our own building and a fabulous permanent collection. I want us to be the first Women's Art Museum in Chicago.

WMG: My life motto is....
MJ: My life motto is whenever possible, do the fun stuff first!

Poetry

December 3, 1998 ©
Itala Langmar

At the end of the day
Lake Michigan is gray as stone.
Pale blue twilight
engulfs the face of the loved one.
Blurred, pallid clouds
vague and scattered
descend on the water.
The face is canceled.
Tomorrow, my love,
I will find you again.

Call for Artists

All shows in 2000 are for women only, except for the Members' Show. You have two options on how to receive guidelines for shows:

1. Send a self-addressed-stamped envelope to Woman Made Gallery, 1900 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616 asking for the prospectus of your choice.
2. Visit our webpage at http://www.womanmade.org/exhibitions.html to find out about upcoming shows and then go to http://www.womanmade.org/entryform.html to print out an entry form.

Wish List

Our Millennium Wish List...
things we hope for, need and want for the coming year!

1. wine, soft drinks and/or cheese/crackers for events
2. office supplies (pens, laser and copy paper, etc)
3. folding chairs and folding tables
4. exhibit sponsors or people to give purchase awards for our exhibitions
5. our own Women’s building in Chicago
6. a vehicle in good working condition
7. memberships by everyone who reads this

Donated items have to be in working condition and are tax-deductible.

Please and Thank You

We would like to thank all those who have renewed their membership or who have become new members since the last newsletter printing. We thank everyone who has donated money, resources and time to help us:

Dinah Abram, Roberta Reb Allen, Ruth Andre, Jennifer Baer, Mery Elyn Baron-Pocius, Kim Basile, Kristin Alana Baum, Sandra Beaty, Cali Bergold & Ed Emering, Dayna Block, Catherine Matchette Bolanos, Kim Brenner, Rae Bridgman, Monica J. Brown, Penny Burns, Kris Cahill, Katie Calhoun, Laurie Schirmer Carpenter, Marcy Carr, Arlys Clark, Jenine Lee Clevenger, Diane Cooper, Laura Cooper, Melanie Cooper from Art Mecca, Iris White Cotton, Linda Crouch, Cynthia Cunningham, Brooke Davidson, Mary T. Duane, Marcella Dziennik, Shuli Eshel, Patricia Fatta, Marcia Fensin, Melanie M. Ferrand, Anita Flores, Claire Foreman, Joan Geary, Jeanine Griffin, Judith Guajardo, Shirley Guay and Rosalie Koldan, Angela Harken, Susan House, Deborah Hughes, Jan Hurt, Madelyn Iris, Patricia Johnston, Maggie Joyce, Diane Kelly, Adele Kiel, Joan King, Amy Landecker, Itala Langmar, Mary Laskey, Louie Laskowski, Alicea M. Lee, Micki Leventhal, Susan Levi, Josephine Lipuma, Rosemary Luckett, Amy Madden, Christine Martin, Sally McCaughan, Roberta Mezinskas, Margaret Mine, McDonald's Corporation, Pete Mitchell, Joyce Morishita, Bernadine Moss, Margaret Newman, Lauren Niimi, Lindsey Olsen, Open Studio Project, Tracy Ostmann, Lori Pastuszak, Judith Knoll Path, Karen Perl, Marcia Perry, Corinne Peterson, Aimee Picard, Barbara Quigley, I. Carmen Quintana, Nancy Radzik, Jeni Reeves, Lisa Richmond, Karla Rindal, Carol Rizzolo, Suzann Robinson & Michael Taylor, Gwyn Roland, Barbara Rohm Rossa, Martha J. Rusk, Nada Salvino, Janet Schumacher, Seeding the Snow (Nancy Freehafer), Bill Siavelis, Christine Simokaitis, Kris Slawinski, Laurel Smith, Helen Gagel Squires, Liz Staller, Lee Stanton, Cynthia Staples, Valerie Taglieri, Carol Tarnoff, Diane Thodos, Adrienne Traisman, Hollis Turner, Sue Varisco, E. J. Wade, Gloria Wager, Ann Wasserman, Janice Webster, Leah Hume Wilson, Woman Craft (Nancy Phillips), Tiffany York, Liz Zorn (please look for your name in the next newsletter if you haven't been thanked in this issue)

A Special Thanks to

Our Board members for all of their hard work and board pledges
Dan Fensin from Blackman Kallick Bartelstein, 300 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago 60606 for free tax and audit services
Yvonne & Mason Galganov from Galganov & Associates in Cambridge, Ontario for the design and upkeep of our webpage
George Gehrken from Telpoint Communications for donations of computer equipment and maintenance
Kathy Greenholdt for designing the Woman Made Newsletter
Amy Madden for designing the Holiday Bazaar and Fairytales exhibition invitations
Gisèle Perreault for donating refrigerator magnets with the WMG hand logo
Jim Maurer of Sir Speedy at 226 East Ontario, Chicago, IL 60611 for donating part of our newsletter printing cost
Rebecca Targ for designing our exhibition invitations
The Sara Lee Foundation and the Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation for general operating funds

Newsletter Entries

Woman Made News is produced quarterly. Send newsletter contributions to Cali Bergold, Woman Made Gallery, 1900 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60616. Or e-mail your entries to gallery@womanmade.org WMG reserves the right to edit articles for clarity and brevity. Entries for SPRING 2000 must be received by February 15^th, 2000.

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