Women Artists in the West

Whether they’re now identified with Colorado, the Southwest or the West in general, many of the region’s earliest artists were women.
Some trained in the East; others were self taught.
Some visited and worked in the region briefly, then moved on; some maintained life-long connections to the area.
Some won recognition in the larger art-arena; others remain regional and relatively undiscovered.
All shared a motivation to come West, where the relative social freedom probably provided as much appeal as the scenery.

Here’s a list of some of these artists, drawn from past inventory. Dates are given when known. Click on a highlighted artist to see an example of her work.

Alphabetical listing:

Helen Bacon, Gina Barry, Myra Biggerstaff (1905-1999), Anne R. Brewster (1870-1952),

Helen Henderson Chain (c. 1849-1892), Mary Chenoweth (1918-1999), Donna Clair (b. 1939),

Mina Conant (1910-1999), Elaine de Kooning (1920-1989), Nancy Belle Douglas, Nadine Drummond (1912-1966),

Martha Epp (1907-1995), Mabel Feucht, Gertrude Savageau Freeman, Elsie Haddon Haynes (1881-1963),

Mabel Fairfax Karl (1901-1991), Nellie M. Killgore, Maude Leach (1870-1927), Doris Lee (1905-1983),

Janet Lippincott (b.1918), Ethel Magafan (1916-1993), Ila McAfee (1897-1986), Evelyn Nelson,

Peggy Ray, Louise Emerson Rönnebeck (1901-1980), Annie Lee Ross (1909-1978)

Hazel Schwentker (b. 1894), Cora A. Smith (active 1920-30), Lucille Snow, Elisabeth Spalding (1868-1954),

Inez Tatum, Margaret Tee (1880-1955), Mrs. Vernon Thomas (b. 1894), Virginia True (1900-1989),

Verna Jean Versa (b. 1926), Zona Wheeler (b. 1913), Mabel R. Whitman (active 1920-1940), Harriet Freeman Wright (19th c.)

Do you know of artists who belong on this list? Please contact us with their information!