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• Women helping women Women helping women Local art show to benefit UNIFEM Three years ago, a group of local women started a Berkshire County chapter of UNIFEM -- the United Nations Fund for Women. And now, through their efforts, more than 40 local women artists have been invited to participate in "Fem-In-Art," a show of their work to raise funds to help women around the world, open now through Aug. 15. Adrea Seligsohn, one of the founders and current president, started the UNIFEM chapter after learning about the United Nations program in Sarasota, Fla., where that chapter, the largest in the United States, raised $27,000 to build a factory where destitute African women could work to support themselves and their families. Seligsohn, a retired psychotherapist and social worker who lives in Becket and in Florida, was inspired to start the Berkshire chapter, which now boasts 54 members. Seligsohn said, "Clearly we've really grown quite fast, for a very grass-roots beginning." The Berkshire group started with 18 women who "wanted to do something meaningful," Seligsohn said. According to their brochure, "UNIFEM/USA is the fund at the United Nations that provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programs around the world that promote women's human rights, political participation and economic security, empowering women in developing countries." Working with co-vice presidents Vera Kalm, a former director of the W.H.O., and Dr. Jennifer Browdy-DeHernandez, the Berkshire group held their first event in October 2001. They have since hosted lectures, participated in International Women's Day at Simon’s Rock and are planning a women’s film forum in the fall. There are three membership meetings yearly, and both women and men are welcome to join the organization. The art show is a first for the group, organized by co-chairs Jean Germain of Monterey, a photographer, and watercolorist Ellen Kaiden of East Otis. There are more than 100 works of art included, and UNIFEM will receive a percentage of each sale. The artists paid a small fee to enter the show, which also benefits UNIFEM. The artwork, displayed in three rooms at the Berkshire South Community Center, is an assortment of landscapes, portraits, still lifes and abstracts, in watercolor, oils, mixed media and photography. Producing an art show of all women artists was an obvious choice. Germain said, "UNIFEM supports women -- helping women to become economically independent and politically active. Every single penny we raise goes directly to these women." Germain pointed out that all the artists involved are either members or supporters of UNIFEM. Marion Jansen of North Egremont, one of the artists involved, said, "I was intrigued by the idea of all women, and also that it benefits women of the world. It's an organization I admire, it’s local -- I like that, and I admire all the work that’s gone into the show." Kaiden, who has produced art shows before in Florida, said, "If it's worth doing something, it’s worth doing it right. We have a wonderful community of talented women. This is an extraordinary coming together of woman power." Kaiden continued, "Art has always spoken for politics, for pain, for people. I just knew what would come in the door would be great." Kaiden has been spending two to three hours a day organizing the show since April. "I don't know how to do something small," she said. Artist Julie Edmonds of Lenox said, "I try to participate in shows when I can and I want to support the United Nations Fund for Women. It's a good way to have shows -- you get a commission and the money goes for a good cause." The artists participating are Sue Browdy, Mary Ellen Daly, Peg Dotchin, Jane Phelan Falcone, Diana Felber, Jean Germain, Nancy Goldberger, Naomi Grossman, Nikki Hayes, Pat Hogan, Ina Rose Hunt, Marion Jansen, Ellen Kaiden, Lorraine Klagsbrun, Judith Koppel, Judy Kramer, Eleanor Lord, Julie McCarthy, Nancy Nirenberg, Molly Pomerance, Edith Ross, Lenore Rubin, Patricia Ryan, Liza Sarinsky, Dorothy Napp Schindel, Judy Lyons Schneider, Shellie Schneider, Carol Sica, Jill Smilow, Deborah Smith, Naomi Schwartz, Margareta Thaute, Michele Waldman and Barbara Winters.
Jurors Maureen Hickey, Jack Wood and Rikki Cowell awarded the prizes. First prize went to Dorothy Napp Schindel's "Unholy Visions," a mixed-media collage. Second prize wen to Barbara Winters’ "Overworked Barn," a digital composite photograph. Third prize went to Pat Hogan for “Snow Squall,” a watercolor. Honorable mentions went to Judy Lyons Schneider, Mary Ellen Daly, Jean Germain, Julie Edmonds, Ellen Kaiden and Liza Sarinsky. Judith Koppell of Chester, an artist who works in airbrush and pen and ink, said, "The cause is more important to me than the exhibit -- if you have a good cause and you're trying to make money, it all makes sense." A gala reception with the artists, featuring a wine-tasting and lavish hors d'oeuvres, will be held Saturday from 4 to 7 at the Berkshire South Community Center in Great Barrington. Tickets for the reception are $35. The Berkshire South Community Center is located on Crissey Road, Great Barrington. For more information, call 623-5418 or 623-6634. |
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