Artemisia Challenges the Elders.

Artist collectives; Women artists; Feminist art; Collectives (Social movements); Commercial art galleries; Art history; Societies

Chicago (Ill.); Illinois

The article discusses the history of the women's separatist art collective known as Artemisia, located in Chicago, Illinois. Particular focus is given to the organization's role as a feminist community within the art world. According to the author, Artemisia did not succeed in promoting racial diversity, but changing attitudes towards separatist spaces and organizations were ultimately responsible for the organization's decline. It is suggested that Artemisia's use of alternative gallery spaces and its later emphasis on the specific conditions in which women of different cultures live may be useful for future efforts by organizations supporting women artists.