Women artists have long been overlooked in the art world, their contributions often overshadowed or excluded from dominant narratives. Adjusting Our Focus: Contemporary American Women in the Visual Arts brings attention to six artists with ties to the Washington, DC, area, whose work spans painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Though they worked across the last century, their art remains powerfully relevant, exploring identity, history, and social change. By shining a light on their place in American art, this exhibition invites viewers to shift their perspective and recognize the lasting impact of women in the visual arts.

Loïs Mailou Jones was a painter and educator who shaped generations of artists at Howard University. Alma Thomas, celebrated for her vibrant, abstract paintings, found inspiration in nature and color theory. Sylvia Snowden creates expressive, textured portraits that reflect the emotional and racial realities of Black life in America. Elizabeth Catlett, known for her sculptures and prints, depicted the struggles and strength of Black and Mexican working-class women. Selma Burke was a sculptor best known for her bronze relief of Franklin D. Roosevelt, considered the basis for his image on the dime. Lilian Thomas Burwell, CUA alum, merges painting and sculpture to create organic, flowing forms inspired by personal history and nature.

By bringing attention to these six remarkable women, Adjusting Our Focus encourages a deeper appreciation of their lasting impact on American art. You can visit this exhibit in the Main Reading Room of Mullen Library through Spring 2025.