International Women’s Day: Betty LaDuke

Women & Their Work presented two slideshow-lectures by artist and teacher Betty LaDuke of Southern Oregon State University on March 8, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

LaDuke presented “Nicaragua: Art and Social Change,” Tuesday, March 8, in the University of Texas Union Ball Room. This slideshow featured portraits of artists, including painters, weavers, and stonecarvers, executing their work in changing society and difficult economic times. The program was co-sponsored by the Texas Union Fine Arts Committee and the Latin American Alternatives Committee of the Institute of Latin American Studies.

“Latin America: Women, Art and Social Change,” was presented on the evening of Tuesday, March 8, at the East Austin Multi-Purpose Center, 211 Comal. This slideshow presented a rare look at Chilean embroidery, a folk art which was becoming better-known in the U.S.  Also included were molas of the San Blas Island and the outdoor murals of Nicaragua. The program was co-sponsored by the Mexican-American Business & Professional Women’s Association.

Betty LaDuke’s slideshows and lectures were a result of her three recent trips to Latin America, where she studied specific forms of contemporary art and crafts directly related to women’s lives, society, and the process of social change. The images of the artists and their work portrayed the strength and spirit of their people. LaDuke has also collected original art work from Latin American countries, which were compiled in a 50-piece exhibition, “Latin America: Women as Artists and Artisans.” The exhibition was on display at the Benson Latin American Library, on the University of Texas campus, April 5-30. It provided a rare opportunity to see Chilean embroidery, as well as many other forms of folk art and needlework from Latin America.

March 8, International Women’s Day, has been celebrated around the world since 1910. In the U.S., it commemorated the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City, which inspired the first organizing of women’s workplaces.