On August 26, 1920, women were given the right to vote in the United States with the certification of the 19th Amendment. The launch of the Women Soaring Project (WSP) this fall 2020 fortuitously coincides with the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage. It is with great honor that the WSP is able to celebrate this incredible achievement in women's history highlighting exceptional artworks with its inaugural exhibit, Women Suffragists.
The panel of jurors for this show was comprised of the WSP co-founders and advisory board members including Jane Le Skaife, Jackie Lo, Megan Seely, Leah Cluff, Jennifer Lugris, Grace Gray-Adams, Jenifer Vernon and Lesley Doig. While we received 48 submissions from artists all around the world, we voted on the top three pieces that displayed the strongest content and execution in addressing the theme of women's suffrage. We are pleased to announce these winning works are:
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First place - Artist Summer Herrera, Dorothy, A Young Activist, 2020
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Second place - Artist Ildiko Nova, Fair Representation, 2020
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Third place - Artist Angela (Azadeh) Raz, Healing, 2020
Please join us in congratulating these artists, and thank you to all those who participated. To see these works and more, please enter our virtual gallery below.
WOMEN
SOARING
An interactive arts and culture project seeking to see, know, and appreciate women in history
about
The Women Soaring Project (WSP) is the work of two best friends who endeavor to acknowledge and honor women in history and more importantly, women in general.
Despite living hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of miles apart, Jane and Jackie have remained close for more than two decades and have stayed connected through their professional careers in academia in sociology and art, respectively.
This interactive art project was a unique opportunity to collaborate and merge their respective disciplines. Together, they are seeking to not only commemorate important women in history, but to also give others the opportunity to artistically express their appreciation for strong and influential women in their lives.
Each art exhibit focuses on a designated theme (e.g., women activists, women suffragists, etc.) and highlights noteworthy women in their field. It gives participants a chance to learn about the historical figures as well as the opportunity to contribute their own artwork about women whom they appreciate. The collected artworks of participants are compiled into an online gallery so that visitors can explore and learn.
Conceptualized by Jane and designed by Jackie, the WSP logo incorporates the international symbol for women with wings to convey how women soar in both everyday and extraordinary ways. It is the hope of the Women Soaring Project that...
If you look, you will SEE.
If you see, you will KNOW.
If you know, you will APPRECIATE.
FOUNDERS
JANE LE SKAIFE
SOCIOLOGIST
Jane completed her Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of California, Davis in 2013 and taught at the University of Tampa prior to her current position at Sierra College. Her research focuses on international migration and race/ethnicity. She is currently working on a book manuscript on Vietnamese refugees in France and the United States.
JACKIE LO
CONTEMPORARY ARTIST
Jackie completed her M.F.A. in Painting at San Diego State University and currently teaches studio art at MiraCosta College and Southwestern College. Her work explores social and cultural themes including language and identity.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
MEGAN SEELY
SOCIOLOGIST
Megan is a Professor of Sociology and Social Justice Studies at Sierra College. She is author of Fight Like a Girl : How to be a fearless feminist (NYU Press).
LEAH CLUFF
PROFESSOR OF ART HISTORY
Leah Cluff is a professor of Art History at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California. She holds a M.A. in Art History from the University of New Mexico and a Ph.D. in Art History, Theory and Criticism from the University of California San Diego. Her academic research focuses on contemporary art made by artists of Native American and First Nations descent.
JENNIFER LUGRIS
CONTEMPORARY ARTIST
Jennifer completed her M.F.A. at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a prolific artist and currently teaches at Sierra College.
GRACE GRAY-ADAMS
CONTEMPORARY ARTIST
Grace is an artist, educator, feminist and activist. In 1965, she marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago. A few years later, she was part of a committee that started the first Women's Studies Program in the nation at San Diego State University, where she also received her M.F.A. in Sculpture. She has served as President of the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art in San Diego. Today, she continues to exhibit her work with the Feminist Image Group, while also teaching at MiraCosta College and Southwestern College.
JENIFER VERNON
PROFESSOR OF COMMUNIICATION STUDIES
Jen is a professor at Sierra College. She is author of a book of poetry, Rock Candy, West End press, awarded a “Tillie Olsen” from the Working-Class Studies Association. She earned a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of California San Diego, and an M.A. in International Studies from the University of Oregon.
LESLEY DOIG
PROFESSOR OF US AND WOMEN'S HISTORY
Lesley Doig is a professor of US and Women’s History at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California. She holds an M.A. in Early Modern European History from the University of California, Riverside and worked toward a Ph.D. in Early American and Women’s History at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She was an editorial assistant for the Papers of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony for three years.