TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.- Terre Haute- On Friday, December 3, authors Judith Vale Newton and Carol Ann Weiss will be at the Swope Art Museum to autograph copies of their new book Skirting the Issue: Stories of Indiana’s Historic Women Artists. Published by the Indiana Historical Society, Skirting the Issue is a glossy, full color volume that features short biographies and artworks of 100 historic women artists who lived and worked in Indiana at the turn of the twentieth century. The book signing will coincide with the Downtown Arts Walk on December 3rd. The Swope Art Museum will be open from 10am until 9pm and have holiday snacks and cider. Authors Newton and Weiss will be present from 7:00-8:00pm to autograph copies of their books. Skirting the Issue can be purchased at the Swope Art Museum during the event and throughout the holiday season.

Visitors to the Swope can also enjoy the groundbreaking new exhibition Creating History: Indiana’s Historic Women Artists. Highlighting the accomplishments of nearly sixty artists whose careers spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Creating History features paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and prints by Indiana’s best known (and least known) women artists.

The late nineteenth century was a time of changing roles for women. For centuries, women were expected to be subservient for men; sacrificing their own desires for the good of the husband and children. Facing limited opportunities, women had to be resolute with their decisions. For the majority, art was relegated to a pastime, only to be pursued when familial obligations were met. Others chose to become art teachers; some found jobs as studio assistants. A tiny fraction of intrepid artists struck it out on their own to pave a path to success. Whichever route they chose, women’s contributions toward the development of art in Indiana cannot be overstated.

Creating History: Indiana’s Historic Women Artists is made possible by Old National Bank and is sponsored regionally by Time Warner Cable, Indiana American Water, Cinergy, and Mrs. & Mrs. Charles T. Culp.