THE NATIONAL MUSEUM FOR WOMEN IN THE ARTS, Washington, D.C.: More Than Just a Museum

Oil painting by Amy Sherald at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC

In early February I went on a short trip to Washington DC with my husband, and while he was at his meetings, I went with a friend to museums, including the newly renovated National Museum of Women in the Arts. The artwork there, all by women, is historical/political/educational/thought provoking/fun. It ranges from pieces produced in the 16th century up to the present day--in all kinds of styles, from traditional to abstract to conceptual. The collection includes paintings, prints, ceramics, sculpture, photographs, and more, some created by recognizable names like Judy Chicago, Faith Ringgold, Berthe Morisot, Frida Kahlo, plus many more by artists I didn't know. The painting above by Amy Sherald, done in 2009, is titled "They Call Me Redbone But I'd Rather Be Strawberry Shortcake." 

Scorch Song by Alison Saar, 2022

Marriage portrait of a Bolognese noblewoman by Lavinia Fontana, 1589.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts, located in the heart of the city not far from the White House, opened in 1987. In 2021, it began major renovations and has recently reopened. As the visitor’s brochure proclaims: “NMWA is more than an art museum. We aim to create gender equity in the arts.”

One of four posters by the Guerrilla Girls on exhibit at the museum.

The museum collections include more than 8000 pieces of art. Galleries on the third and fourth floor, mezzanine, and ground floor display pieces from the permanent collection. 

Entrance to The Sky's the Limit exhibit on the second floor of the museum.

The second floor is for special exhibitions, which at the time of our visit was “The Sky’s the Limit”. (This exhibit closed February 25, 2024, shortly after my visit.) At the suggestion of the woman at the front desk where we got our tickets, we started by taking the elevator to the top, and then worked our way down.

Pregnant Nana by Niki de Saint Phalle, 1995.

The gallery exhibits are organized by theme, although it was a little hard to figure out how the themes related to some of the pieces. As usual, I took my camera and photographed many of the pieces. There's never enough time to see everything at a museum and read every label. This way, when I get home I can look at my pictures and enjoy the museum again. Here are a few of my favorite pieces.

Faience Dog covered in crochet by Joana Vasconcelos, 2005.

Yam Story, painting by Australian artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye 

Suspended Sky by April Gornik, etching and aquatint, 2005.

Young Woman in Mauve by Berthe Morisot, 1880.

Orion, acrylic painting by Alma Woodsey Thomas, 1973.

Woman in white dress seen through screen of black combs. (The Sky's the Limit)

Thirty Pieces of Silver, sculpture by Cornelia Parker (The Sky's the Limit.)

My silhouette reflected in color photo print on metallic paper by Mariah Robertson (The Sky's the Limit).

The Museum of Women in the Arts is housed in a historical building that was originally a Masonic Temple. On one wall of the elegant main hall/ballroom are black and white photos of prom couples through the years. When I asked at the information desk if the room had ever been used for a prom, they didn’t know, but they said that it is often rented out for weddings. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is well worth a visit the next time you are in Washington, D.C. It puts a new perspective on the role of women artists and will make you rethink your understanding of art history.

What if women ruled the world? Neon sculpture by Yael Bartana, 2016.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $16 for adults, $13 for D.C. residents and seniors. It is free if you are under 21. For more information and directions go to the museum’s website www.nmwa.org .

At the time of our visit, NMWA did not have an onsite café. (They plan to have one in the future.) We walked two blocks down the street to a restaurant called Tatte Bakery and Cafe, and had a delicious lunch. 

Still Life of Fish and Cat by Clara Peeters, after 1620.