Becoming an Artist in the ’60s

[Editor’s Note: This blog post, written by ArtsWestchester’s CEO emerita Janet Langsam, was first published on her This and That by JL blog. Her ‘Improbable Feminist’ exhibition at the Neuberger Museum of Art was initially scheduled to close in June but has been extended by popular demand through August 17. -MAF]

As a woman who has spent a lifetime supporting women’s rights, it may seem odd that my current exhibition at the Neuberger Museum of Art is entitled Improbable Feminist, now on view until August 17. For those of you whom I hope will take the trouble to see the exhibit, I thought I should explain the title.

As a young wife, mother and journalist, the women’s movement gave me the impetus to be an artist. This was a huge step for me, as I was raised to be a wife and mother or, better, a stay-at-home as a housewife. The women’s movement sought to give women a more fulfilling future, and so I was personally compelled to act boldly, turn my life upside down, and become an artist. Yet I could not go the extra mile and burn my bra. Then too, I was troubled that the movement wasn’t as inclusive as I had hoped.

The women’s movement was started by a small group of college educated white women who felt left out of the national dialogue and wanted a role in life beyond being a housewife. Black women were more interested in equal pay and sexual equality. No problem there, however it became clear to me and others that there were many different groups of women, all of whom had different and diverse aspirations.

The truth is that many women, like myself, were ambivalent because the women’s movement at first did not represent the full spectrum of feminine issues. I guess when you get a group of women together, there are at least 100 different opinions and consensus is difficult in most circumstances. While the women’s movement ultimately embraced everyone, the involvement of many women was lost along the way. Yet, it is clear that many women who were not officially apart of the movement were deeply impacted in the idea that their lives could be more meaningful than they were.

Improbable Feminist, originally scheduled to close in June, is now on view at the Neuberger Museum through August 17.

You May Also Enjoy:

• 2025 Cultural Events and Festivals in Westchester
• Hammond’s Stroll Garden Offers Respite and Tranquility in Westchester
• Birdland Jazz is Set to Wake Up Westchester
• What’s Westchester Watching?: August Edition

_{Photo: Janet Langsam working in her studio circa 1970 (courtesy of the artist)}