The Wolfsonian–Florida International University proudly presents Women, Art, and Social Change: The Newcomb Pottery Enterprise, the largest exhibition of Newcomb arts and crafts in over twenty-five years. Featuring more than 130 objects ranging from iconic Newcomb ceramics to metalwork, textiles, and other historical artifacts, Women, Art, and Social Change sheds light on how the trailblazing female designers of New Orleans’ H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College forged a distinctively southern aesthetic and paved the way for women artists of later generations. Women, Art, and Social Change will be on view at The Wolfsonian–FIU from June 11 through August 30, 2015. Representing nearly fifty years of achievement in decorative arts, Women, Art, and Social Change covers the lifespan of Newcomb Pottery, one of the most important early 20th-century American decorative arts enterprises, active from 1895 to 1940. Created by Newcomb College, Tulane University’s former women’s college, the influential Arts & Crafts program integrated commerce with an educational and social experiment that aimed to teach southern women financial independence through the sale of their wares — each a one-of-a-kind work of art. Newcomb ceramics were crafted exclusively by female designers, whose critically acclaimed artistry drew inspiration from Southern flora and fauna and was internationally renowned for its quality and graceful forms. “Women, Art, and Social Change is an exciting complement to The Wolfsonian’s core collection, with the lifespan of Newcomb Pottery aligning closely with the collecting period of the museum,” stated curatorial and exhibitions assistant Whitney Richardson, who is organizing The Wolfsonian’s presentation of the exhibition. “This is the perfect opportunity to focus on the impact of female artists in post-Civil War America, at a time when women’s equality was a burgeoning cause. The women of Newcomb Pottery set about to create a profitable business for female artisans, and wound up creating the most significant American pottery of the 20th century; we’re thrilled to share this story with our visitors.” In addition to pottery, the exhibition showcases jewelry, photography, bookbinding, and textiles for a comprehensive summary that offers new insights into the extraordinary women of Newcomb — from their philosophy and sense of community, to the elegant craftsmanship that ensured Newcomb Pottery’s place on the vanguard of American art and industry.The Wolfsonian will mark the opening of Women, Art, and Social Change with a preview reception on June 4, as well as additional programming such as a free family day, a Takeover Tour led by a guest tour guide, and an art-making workshop.Women, Art, and Social Change: The Newcomb Pottery Enterprise is organized by the Newcomb Art Gallery and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. It debuted at Tulane University’s Newcomb Art Gallery before launching on a national tour that included the Georgia Museum of Art, Stark Museum of Art, and Gardiner Museum.
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