As the conversation about art and gender shifts in the 21st century, the work of women artists has begun to receive more attention than ever before. At the Annex Galleries, we have been highlighting the work of women printmakers of the Arts and Crafts, WPA/FAP, and Abstract Expresionist eras since our inception. However, it has been the hard work of the women artists, curators, and teachers themselves that have truly pushed these oft-ignored chapters of art history into the spotlight, and to them we are grateful. 

In this ongoing, online exhibition, "Women Artists: Known and Unknown", we turn to our inventory to explore the work of women who boldly staked a claim in the international art world (Deborah Remington, Blanche Lazell, Joan Mitchell, Mary Corita Kent, etc.), and their lesser-known or entirely forgotten peers. Among them are pioneers of whiteline woodcut, intaglio, and serigraph printmaking, as well as sculpture, drawing, painting, and photography.

We also want to recognize that the label "woman artist" comes with caveats and expectations that we do not subcribe to; but with that in mind, we are well aware that there is much to be done to champion the work of women, and until the day when labels have no meaning, such exhibitions will continue to hold vast importance. As art reflects the human condition, both the good and the bad, the reflection is incomplete without all voices, and our collective understanding of the world suffers for it. With "Women Artists: Known and Unknown", it's our hope that we can add to the light being shed on the important and powerful work of the women around us, and build a more complete picture of this world we live in.

Most of the works are accompanied by biographies of the artists. We always appreciate any corrections or additions viewers might have, as these bios are meant to keep these artist from disappearing forever.

These works help some new collectors get in on the ground floor of an area that is only just beginning to catch the attention of academia. There are myriad great artists to be discovered and their backgrounds are all worthy of exploring.