TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.- The cultural organizations of Terre Haute will unite this winter to celebrate the contributions of women in the arts. This two week long symposium will offer art exhibitions, original plays, musical performances, film, dance, literary readings and more. This unique collaboration represents the unified efforts of fourteen cultural and educational institutions and businesses from across the city. Nathan Richie, Curator of Collections and Programs at the Swope Art Museum, headed the coordination of the symposium. “I was inspired by the collaborative exhibition Creating History: Indiana’s Historic Women Artists now on view at the Swope. That exhibit represents the combined efforts of seven Indiana museums that united to present the story of these unsung artists. In summer 2004, the Swope invited members from each of the cultural organizations in Terre Haute to a brainstorming session. The energy generated by the meeting was exhilarating and it resulted in the creation of the Women IN the Arts Symposium: A Celebration of Indiana Women Who Create.”

The festivities kick off with a free opening celebration at the Swope Art Museum on Tuesday, January 25 from 6-8pm. The lively evening will feature hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a live performance by the women’s Celtic trio Banish Misfortune. Visitors will also be able to visit the exhibit Creating History: Indiana’s Historic Women Artists. In addition to the Swope exhibit, six other art exhibitions will be on view around the city including the Montgomery-Bare, Turman, and University Art Galleries at Indiana State University, the Community Theatre Lobby Gallery, Moench Hall at Rose-Hulman University, Gallery Mathes, Java Haute, Coffee Break, and Arts Illiana.

The two-week symposium will feature performing, musical, and literary performances almost every day at venues around the city. Lectures and panel discussions will be held at the Vigo County Library, Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and the Swope Art Museum. Original theatrical performances will debut at the Little Theatre at Guerin and The New Theater at ISU. Community Theater of Terre Haute will screen the French film Carnages. A recital of viola music by women composers will take place at the ISU Music Recital Hall and a combined performance of Women IN Dance and Music at the Indiana Theater will feature Sweet Harmony, the Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods Jazz Ensemble, and the Academy of Dance. Special events featuring historic figures include a “Meet the Artist” performance of sculptor Janet Scudder and actress Valeska Suratt at the Vigo County Library and a guided architecture bus tour of buildings designed by Juliet Peddle. A full calendar of events is available at each of the participating venues and can be viewed online at www.indstate.edu/artgallery/symposium.html. Nearly all events are free and open to the public. Theatrical performances have a nominal fee of $3 and are free to students.