Pen and Brush Advocates for Gender Parity Through Group Exhibitions and New Flatiron Space
Janice Sands, who has served as the executive director of Pen and Brush since 1998, addresses Quang Bao's essay concerning gender disparity in the art market. Established 119 years ago, Pen and Brush is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting women artists, particularly those in the emerging and mid-career stages. Sands contends that market dynamics discourage decision-makers from taking chances on unproven female artists. Despite ongoing misconceptions regarding women's contributions, statistics reveal persistent gender inequality. While some women do secure gallery representation and find market success, Sands considers these instances to be outliers. The exhibitions at Pen and Brush are designed to highlight exceptional work by women, challenging the idea of avoiding "women's shows." In late 2013, the organization relocated to a new venue in the Flatiron District to enhance its advocacy for gender equity.
Key facts
- Janice Sands is executive director of Pen and Brush, a 119-year-old nonprofit women's art organization.
- Pen and Brush moved from Greenwich Village to a new Flatiron District facility in late 2013.
- The new space is 5,500 square feet and state-of-the-art, accommodating any artistic form.
- Group exhibitions at Pen and Brush aim to show quality work by women en masse to change public perceptions.
- Sands argues market imperatives and misconceptions hinder women artists, despite statistics showing gender inequality.
- Some women artists achieve super-stardom with top auction tiers and major museum collections, but Sands views these as exceptions.
- Pen and Brush uses curators to select work for group shows, with further reviews for focused exhibitions.
- Sands believes gender parity should be about the work first, not the artist's gender.
Entities
Artists
- Janice Sands
- Quang Bao
Institutions
- Pen and Brush
- Rema Hort Mann Foundation
- ArtTable
- Americans for the Arts
- Arts and Business Council of New York
- Council for Arts and Humanities of Staten Island
- Artists Talk on Art
- Women’s Studio Center
- New York Nonprofit Coordinating Committee
Locations
- Greenwich Village
- Flatiron District
- New York
- United States