Commemorating the centennial of women’s suffrage, the YAM’s second annual North x Northwest exhibition is based on the theme of “Women’s Work.” Associate Curator of Native American Art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Jill Ahlberg Yohe, was the exhibition juror. She selected 60 works from 441 entries.

“I judged in terms of quality, artistry, creativity, and theme,” Yohe said. “Women’s work is everywhere and in everything we do, yet often remains invisible, unrecognized, marginalized, and undervalued. Encompassing nearly every medium—painting, video installation, textiles, sculptures, photography and mixed media—this exhibition brings together exceptional works of art by contemporary makers. It celebrates the creative, innovative, and always-changing landscape of women’s experience, inviting viewers to consider women’s contributions to our histories, communities, art, humanity, and planet.”

Women’s Work was open to artists of all genders and backgrounds, working in any fine art or craft medium. Part of a community-wide series of cultural events, the North x Northwest exhibition is intended to introduce new artists to the region, showcase regional favorites, and exhibit emerging artists alongside their more established peers. In addition to Juror’s Award and People’s choice, the exhibition will fund $5,000 in purchase awards for the YAM’s permanent collection. The exhibition was open to artists of all genders and backgrounds, working in any fine art or craft medium.

In 2008, Juror Ahlberg Yohe received her PhD from the University of New Mexico; her dissertation focused on the social life of weaving in contemporary Navajo life. Along with Teri Greeves, Jill co-curated Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists. At Mia Jill seeks new initiatives and to expand understanding and new curatorial practices of historical and contemporary Native art.

Artists in the exhibition include 13 from Montana. The others hail from 27 states, ranging from Florida to Hawaii, Texas to Alaska. They are:

Brooke Atherton, Jenny Balisle, Isabelle & Guillaume Beau de Lomenie, Meghan Bissonnette, Courtney Blazon, Ginger Bowen, Becky Brinkley, Pat Budge, Diane Bush, Diane Bush, Veronica Ceci, Lauren, Chambers, Jeanne Ciravolo, Katie Craney, Brittney Denham, Aileen Denny, Kenzie Dickens, Stephanie Dishno, Hai-Dang Do, Sara Drower, Evee Erb, Megan Faulkner, Lisa Flowers Ross, Candace Forrette, Wendy Foster, Stephanie Frostad, Judith Quinn Garnett, Emily Gomez, Molly Haig, Nancy Helmsworth, Susan Hensel, Michael Jorgensen, Debra Keirce, Tiffany Leach, Bonnie MacAllister, Valerie Marek, Cristina Marian, Laura Meintjes, Leslie Van Stavern Millar, Stacy Weitz Minch, Mary Nash, Thu Nguyen, Julie Nocent-Vigil, Sarah Palmeri, Sarah Peterman, Carla Potter, Beatriz Rodriguez, Maggy Rozycki Hiltner, Hasna Sal, Heather Schroeder, Fred Scruton, Jennifer Shada, Cerrina Smith, Victoria Smits, Betsy Timmer, Diana Tremaine, Blair Treuer, Weiting Wei, Linda Whitney, and Tenyoh.

Exhibition Sponsors

Carol L.H. & John W. Green

The Carolyn K. Ennis Family Living Trust

The Charles M. Bair Family Trust

Deborah Anspach & Dr. John Hanson

Anonymous

Exhibition dates: May 28, 2020 – October 4, 2020

Juror’s Lecture: Hearts of Our People – Friday, September 18th, 2020, 10 – 11 a.m.

Award Reception: September 17th, 2020, 6 – 8 p.m.