Women to the Front: Artworks from the Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Collection
Free Events:
Opening Reception: Friday, July 11 • 5-8 PM (CT)
Curator Gallery Talk: Saturday, July 19 • 11:30 AM (CT)
Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell began building their remarkable art collection in the 1990s in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they continue to live and support the arts. Their vision has centered on celebrating and uplifting women, queer artists and artists of color — voices often marginalized in the art world. Through a wide range of media including drawing, painting, photography, mixed media and sculpture, the works in their collection use wit, emotion and fearless critique to challenge and confront dominant cultural norms.
Now comprising over 1,000 works, the Waddells’ collection stands as one of the most significant socially conscious, private art collections in the Midwest.
Women to the Front features more than 70 original works by 59 artists, spanning from the 1970s to today. These pieces explore social and political issues and reflect the Waddells’ commitment to both internationally-acclaimed artists and rising creative voices. Artworks by iconic feminist figures such as Louise Bourgeois, Elizabeth Catlett, Barbara Kruger, Ana Mendieta, Shirin Neshat, Yoko Ono, Carolee Schneemann and Cindy Sherman are presented alongside bold contemporary works by globally-recognized and emerging Midwestern artists.
The exhibition’s title, Women to the Front, pays homage to the Riot Grrrl feminist punk movement, which also started in the 1990s. At Bikini Kill concerts, frontwoman Kathleen Hanna famously shouted, “Girls to the front!” This directive encouraged men and boys to step aside and allowed women and girls to occupy the front of the stage—a rallying cry for women to take up space, be seen, and be heard. This exhibition carries that same spirit, inviting viewers to engage with powerful voices that demand attention, representation, and change.
Artwork Shown: Michele Pred, Time for Equal Pay II, 2022, Mixed media, 18 ¼ x 5 ½ x 16 ½ inches
Exhibiting Artists:
- Humaira Abid,
- Marina Abramović,
- Laura Aguilar,
- Janine Antoni,
- Chakaia Booker,
- Louise Bourgeois,
- Andrea Bowers,
- Shelley Brenner Baird,
- Tania Bruguera,
- Zoë Buckman,
- Susan Byrnes,
- Tania Candiani,
- Elizabeth Catlett,
- Sonya Clark,
- Maryrose Cobarrubias Mendoza,
- Sue Coe,
- Patricia Cronin,
- Carolyn Crump,
- Ana de Orbegoso,
- Tracey Emin,
- Nona Faustine,
- vanessa german,
- Guerrilla Girls,
- Jessica Harrison,
- Clarity Haynes,
- Jenny Holzer,
- Tyra Imani Patterson,
- Deborah Kass,
- Baseera Khan,
- Barbara Kruger,
- Lilly Manycolors,
- Delita Martin,
- Rania Matar,
- Carolyn L. Mazloomi,
- Ana Mendieta,
- Mychaelyn Michalec,
- Zanele Muholi,
- Shirin Neshat,
- Bessie Nickens,
- Kathy Nida,
- Yoko Ono,
- Catherine Opie,
- Ebony G. Patterson,
- Judy Polstra,
- Michele Pred,
- Sara Rahbar,
- Francisca Rojas,
- Stephanie Rond,
- Carolee Schneemann,
- Cindy Sherman,
- Lorna Simpson,
- Kiki Smith,
- Sarah Stolar,
- Mickalene Thomas,
- Marina Vargas,
- Asha White,
- Hannah Wilke,
- Carmen Winant,
- Francesca Woodman
