A Look Back: Works from the Women Artists and the West Show and Sale

In 1990, the Tucson Museum of Art held an exhibition called Primavera: A Celebration of Women in the Arts. The following year, the concept transformed into the first Women Artists and the West Show and Sale. The series continued until 1997, attracting artists throughout the American West. Every year, TMA purchased a work for its permanent collection, expanding its holdings of women artists of the American West. In addition, from this series, the American Women Artists organization took root and ultimately became a national identity, continuing to promote and exhibit women’s art throughout the country.​

On view in A Look Back are examples of work from the art shows and are part of the collection. Some were purchased the year of the show or acquired later by private donations. These selections are displayed together in recognition of the impact the exhibitions had on the collection and the women artist community.

Credit: Overview from museum website