The Carnegie Arts Center has unveiled a new exhibit in their Lobby that highlights the artistic achievements of women artists.

“Inspiring Women: An Exhibition of Arts and Letters” is a collection of works created by members of the Modesto chapter of the National League of American Pen Women. NLAPW is a professional organization for women artists, writers and composers that was founded more than 100 years ago to give women a platform in the literary and artistic arenas. The Modesto branch of the NLAPW was founded in 1936, and currently boasts 35 members from throughout the region. The exhibit features both visual arts and written pieces from 12 artists and 12 writers.

“The pairings on display are examples of ekphrasis, the creation of a work of art that responds to another work by expressing its essence in a different form,” explained Carnegie Arts Center Director Lisa McDermott. “In most cases, a visual artist partnered with a writer who created poems or prose to interpret or speak to specific works of art. In one instance the pair began with a poem and the artwork was created in response to the written piece.”

Artists included in the exhibit are: Ann Williams Bailey; Carol David; Chella Gonsalves; Linda Knoll; Linda Marie Prather; Yvonne Porcella; Sally Ruddy; Linda Gordon Sawyer; Claudia Silva-Doo; Henrietta Sparkman; Suzanne Staud; and Diane Wold.

The writers that have submitted their works are: Roberta Bearden; Lisa Bruk; Jennie Chadwick; Cleo Griffith; Lynn M. Hansen; Nancy Haskett; Loretta Ichord; Louise Kantro; Calder Lowe; Linda Gordon Sawyer; Judy Slack; and V.J. Vogelzang.

The Carnegie will host a poetry reading and reception for the artists on Sunday. The reading will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a free public reception from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

The exhibit will be on display through June 7.

The Carnegie is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. Admission to the Lobby Gallery is free.