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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Insert Date Here] [Your Institution] Hosts Photography Exhibition, Voices of American Farm Women In the past, our views of farming and its influence on American life and culture have focused on the roles that men have played as farmers, while women's contributions to agricultural production were largely ignored, perpetuating the stereotype of the “farmer's wife.” The photographic exhibition Voices of American Farm Women, opening on [opening date] at [your institution], presents a contemporary perspective on women in agriculture. Photographer Cynthia Vagnetti has documented women from across the United States whose farming techniques promote environmental responsibility, economic stability, and community well-being. The exhibition weaves together the power of image and word by featuring selections from oral history interviews conducted with the subjects of Vagnetti's work. The 30 striking black-and-white photographs explore a diverse group of women and their relationship to the land. Their voices narrate a multifaceted view of work, family, and community. Strong opinions on many topics—including farm work, childcare, and housework—dispel many misconceptions about women who work the land. [In this paragraph, provide details about any activities you plan in conjunction with the exhibition. Also include information about museum/gallery hours, admission costs, and a phone number to call for additional information.] Voices of American Farm Women is part of a larger documentary project conducted by Vagnetti, who has a long-standing commitment to sustainable agriculture, rural communities, and related issues. She has produced numerous multimedia projects and photography exhibitions, and she is co-author of People Sustaining the Land. Her work in the past decade is inspired by the work of Farm Security Administration photographers, most notably Dorothea Lange and Russell Lee. Voices of American Farm Women, made possible by a generous grant from the Valmont Foundation, is curated by Janet Dykema, Director of Public Programs at the Chippewa Valley Museum in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The exhibition is organized and toured by ExhibitsUSA. The purpose of ExhibitsUSA is to create access to an array of arts and humanities exhibitions, nurture the development and understanding of diverse art forms and cultures, and encourage the expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. ExhibitsUSA is a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance, a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1972. *For the most accurate credit language, use the paragraph under 'How is ExhibitsUSA funded?' at http://www.maaa.org/exhi_usa/faq.html.
©2002 Mid-America Arts Alliance. All Rights Reserved |