Art, Money, Love: Jane Freeman 1871-1963

Art, Money, Love: Jane Freeman 1871-1963
Paintings and Ephemera of a Working Artist

May 6-28, 2011
Cooperative Gallery 213

Jane Freeman supported herself as an artist at a time when it was exceptional for women to work, much less as a painter. “Art, Money, Love: Jane Freenan 1871-1963” exhibits several of her paintings and will display photos, letters, and other ephemera to illustrate her life as a working artist. Peg Johnston is curating the show which runs from First Friday May 6th through Saturday, May 28th. A reception on May 7th from 3-5 pm is open to the public and fellow gallery members and friends.

Two paintings will be on loan from the Springville (Utah) Museum of Art: “Eyes for Two” won several prizes and depicts a blind former matador in Spain with his wife. “French Peasant” is also a noted painting. Vern Swanson, PhD director of the Museum comments, “These are really fine paintings and we are happy to contribute to this revival of Jane Freeman’s art.” Other paintings include a portrait of Albert Schweitzer, two still lifes, and several portraits in oil and chalk. See the Springville Museum of Art paintings at http://springvilleartmuseum.org/collections/browse.html?x=art&art_id=393&name=Eyes_for_Two

A special Third Thursday discussion on May 19th at 7 pm will feature a brief talk by Professor Kathryn Kish Sklar, a noted expert on women’s history. She is an author of many books and is a consultant to the National Women’s History Museum, and has recently retired from Binghamton University. Professor Sklar will discuss the economics of women’s work in this period in history. Information on Professor Sklar: http://www2.binghamton.edu/history/people/faculty/kathryn.html

“I admire Jane Freeman’s artistic talents,” notes Peg Johnston, curator for the exhibit, “but I am also quite interested in piecing together the context of her life, including how she managed to support herself and her personal relationships.” Johnston inherited some of the paintings and material and did additional research for the show. She created a similar exhibit called “Faithfully Yours,” about Jane’s sister Elisabeth Freeman, a noted suffragette and progressive organizer. (See
www.elisabethfreeman.org.)

Johnston is a founding member of the Cooperative Gallery 213 On State St. in Binghamton which has been an important force in the arts renaissance in downtown Binghamton in the last 10 years. The Cooperative Gallery is a popular stop on the Gorgeous Washington First Friday Art Walk. It is open every Friday from 3-6 pm and Saturdays from 12-4 pm and by appointment. In addition to the scheduled receptions and talks, Johnston will be available on Saturday, May 28th from 1-3 pm to show visitors details about the show. See www.cooperativegallery.com