Venus Envy 2008 March 7, 2008

Press Release
Venus Envy 2008
10 Year Anniversary opening reception party:

March 7, 2008 from 8 to midnight
The Mad Art Gallery
2727 S. 12th Street
ST. Louis, MO 63118

Venus Envy is a Missouri-based non-profit organization dedicated to
empowering women through the arts. It is a celebration of visual and
performing arts taking place every year. This organization which is driven by
women which positively affects everyone by empowering women through the arts. (that 'empowerment' means community wide programming and partnerships with other organizations to improve our city via arts training, awareness, and beautification. ..)

The founder, Mallarie Zimmer’s vision was to create female-produced arts events, the loyal and tenacious board's vision; to create outreach and education programs that strengthen feminine diversity and promote said empowerment. Venus Envy has become a widely recognized source of inspiration for championing women’s artistic, civic and creative pursuits in communities along the Mississippi and beyond. (Also the source of much copycatting, controversy, and 'competition' ) Leading us to believe that it is time for a shift, a new format, curated by Dr. Jackie Lewis- Harris, honed to diamond headed precision- a new vision... and having accomplished our mission, possibly the final exhibition-

Celebrate Venus Envy’s 10 Year Anniversary
with a Sparkling Evening of Dazzling Artistry,
Tempting Treats and Captivating Entertainment. Mission Statement Venus Envy is an organization driven by women which
positively affects everyone by empowering women through the arts. VENUS ENVY 2008 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE 8:10-8:40 :: Auset (music - folk/acoustic)
8:50-9:20 :: Belly Dance Mirage (dance - belly dance)
9:30-10:00 :: Terri Langerak (music - harp/vocals)
10:10-10:40 :: Chuvani Bellydance (dance - group dance/fire performance)
10:50-11:20 :: Celia (music - rock band)
11:30-12:00 :: Gravity Plays Favorites (dance - burlesque)

Artists 3 National Artists Jewel Castro
Mary Dritschel
Joyce Owens

15 Local Artists Jane Linders
Lindsey Nichols
Bonnie Murray
Sarah Zickler
Sandy Miller
Melissa Bales
Heather Haymart
Mary Beth Shaw
Libby Reuter
Suny Santos
Katie Lang
Cindy Tower
Julia Clift
Adrienne Patel
Amy Lee Ball

For more information contact program coordinator Michele Racanelli at
vmrac@sbcglobal. net or 314-324-4912
or Board President Kate Poss at kateposs@aol. com or call 314-922-3914.

Mad Art Gallery is proud to welcome Venus Envy on Friday, March 7, 2008. Venus Envy is an all-female art event showcasing painting, sculpture, installations, collage, and music. This year's exhibition is curated by Jackie Lewis-Harris, the director of the Center of Human Origin and Cultural Diversity at University of Missouri St. Louis. Ms. Lewis-Harris has been involved in the visual arts as both an artist and consultant. She has curated many exhibits at the St. Louis Art Museum and St. Louis Artists' Guild. In addition to many talented local artists, Venus Envy 2008 features work from national artists Joyce Owens, Mary Dritschel, and Jewel Castro. An opening reception for the exhibit will be on Friday, March 7, 2008, from 8:00 p.m. until 12 midnight. Admission is $5 at the door. There will be live music throughout the evening. Cash bar available.
This is Venus Envy's tenth year, and to celebrate they are hosting a special VIP opening reception from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Admission is $45 in advance and $55 at the door which includes food and refreshments.
More about the curator, Jackie Lewis-Harris: Ms. Lewis-Harris has her doctorate and master's in anthropology from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. She has traveled and worked extensively in the Pacific for 25 years with an emphasis on Papua, New Guinea, and the Pacific island, Diaspora. In her former position as Assistant curator at the St. Louis Art Museum, she curated several exhibits including Art of Papua, New Guinea, Africa Explores: 20th Century African Art, Jacob Lawrence: The Migration Series, Visions of the People, Faith Ringgold, Masterpieces of Central Africa, and the reinstallation of the museum's African and Pacific galleries. She currently consults for several national and international museums as an independent curator including the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Bishop Museum, the East West Center Gallery, Bellas Artes Gallery, the St. Louis Artist's Guild, RAC, University of Missouri Museum of Art and Archaeology, and Gallery Visio. She has also published numerous articles and catalogs on women artists, Pacific art and cultures, and African American and West African cultures in relation to identity, art and contemporary society.

Official Website: http://www.venusenvy.com