Fresno Famous

In 1986 the Council of 100 was created to support Fresno Art Museum's full year of women artist exhibitions. The Fresno Art Museum was on the cutting edge of the Art Feminist movement, as it was the first Museum in the nation to dedicate a full year to women artist's! In a quest to raise money and awareness for the year of exhibitions and symposia 100 women that supported the arts and/or where artists themselves, were asked to donate funds. In the spirit of that first year of exhibitions the Council of 100 presents the Distinguished Woman Artist Award each year to a woman artist who has spent thirty or more years in the studio and has created a unique and prestigious body of work.

Now in its' 20th year the Fresno Art Museum's Council of 100, remains a unique organization devoted to recognizing outstanding women in the arts. The Council, working in collaboration with the Museum, has garnered recognition for its valuable contribution of honoring contemporary women artists.

This year the Council of 100 is celebrating 20 years by having a Survey Exhibition of all 18 Distinguished Women Artists. In addition to the Opening reception on Friday, September 8 at 5pm, the Council will host a Symposium on Saturday, September 9 followed by a luncheon.

Members of the Council are given the opportunity to meet and interact with women in the arts on local and national levels all year around. For more information please contact the Fresno Art Museum at 559.441.4221.