There’s no better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than at your favorite San Diego County museums!
Throughout the month, we invite you to explore the many exhibitions and special events that recognize the historic achievements and contributions of women within our community and around the world.
Women’s Museum of California
A must-read interview with Women’s Museum of California leader Felicia Shaw by Kristy Totten in The San Diego Union-Tribune. Find out who she admires and what’s next for the Women’s Museum including the 21st Annual San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (tickets now available!).
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (Downtown)
Celebrate women and experience art at the MCASD Downtown location on Thursday, March 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. This free event is inspired by feminist, activist and artist Yolanda López, whose work is on view through April 24. Paying tribute to Lopez’s hometown, all offerings are provided by female-owned Barrio Logan businesses.
Galleries will be open late with a public tour (from 5 to 6 p.m.), a drop-in art-making activity (from 6 to 8 p.m.), and a local shops market. Mujeres Brew House will be providing the brews and DJ A-Boogie the tunes.
Visions Art Museum
Who is your hero? Artists Susan Brubaker Knapp and Lyric Montgomery Kinard asked that question when curating this exhibition A Better World: Heroes Working for the Greater Good featuring more than 30 quilts of inspirational people from Harriet Tubman to Michelle Obama. The collection is now on view through April 3 at Visions Art Museum located at Arts District Liberty Station.
Artwork shown above (from left): Malala by Lea McComas, Aretha Franklin by Lola Jenkins, Drops of Love: A Life Woven with God by Cindy Pryor, and Yayoi by Sandra Bruce
Vanguard Culture
In honor of Women’s History Month, Vanguard Culture has made the third segment of The History of Joy: WomXn available for San Diego Museum Council subscribers using this link.
Take an unforgettable theatrical journey through moments of everyday magic and extraordinary possibility. In partnership with award-winning poet laureate nominee Gill Sotu, The History of Joy is a four-part series of cinematic performances inspired by real-life stories of struggle, beauty and triumph. See the World Premiere of The History of Joy on April 28 at the Museum of Photographic Arts with tickets here.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Throughout March, the San Diego Air & Space Museum will feature its American Women of Flight Special Exhibition, which honors the contributions of women to the world of aviation over more than 100 years. You can also learn more about groundbreaking women, from Amelia Earhart to Sally Ride, in the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame, on view both online and at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
Hall of Fame inductees include (above from top left) Amelia Earhart, Barbara Barrett, Bessie Coleman and Christa McAuliffe; (second row from left) Eileen Collins, Fran Bera, Jacqueline Cochran and Sally Ride.
Lawyers Club of San Diego at the History Center
A new exhibit opens in honor of Women’s History Month at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park. It’s titled To Advance the Status of Women in Law and Society: Lawyers Club of San Diego at 50 Years. This exhibition, commemorates the anniversary of the organization, telling the story of Lawyers Club organized activism and traces the development of this diverse social movement in San Diego.
California Surf Museum
Be inspired by surfer Bethany Hamilton at the California Surf Museum‘s exhibition Courageous Inspiration. Although she lost her left arm when attacked by a Tiger shark while surfing in Hawaii, she not only recovered, but she returned to competitive surfing a mere three weeks later. She continues to inspire countless people to overcome adversity and not give up their dreams.
Visit the Oceanside museum to learn her story and see the actual surfboard Bethany donated showing the shark bite.
USS Midway Museum
Don’t miss “The Color of Freedom,” a special exhibition now on view (through March 31) at the USS Midway Museum to commemorate Women’s History Month. The 40-foot-long traveling exhibition was created by the Military Women’s Memorial with the goal of shedding light on the sacrifices and contributions of a selection of minority women who served in or alongside the U.S. Military throughout history.
Katie Ruiz New Artistic Director
If you’ve ever experienced the work of Katie Ruiz, you know why the Women’s Museum of California just named her as its new Artistic Director. Says Ruiz, “I will create interactive, engaging exhibits that help us gain a more well rounded perspective of history, reclaiming the history that was left out and honoring the current wave of Feminism. Stay tuned for opening dates at The Jacobs Center.” We can’t wait!
Women in the Lead
The inspiring works in this tour highlight the creative styles and techniques of women artists from the 16th century to the present and celebrate female empowerment worldwide. Please reserve your spot for this Wednesday March 31 / 2 p.m. Zoom by clicking on this link. All participants will be sent the Zoom link and instructions via email once you secure your place. Space is limited.
