The Des Moines Art Center recently opened a unique exhibit that will run through September 2nd. This show entitled “In the Spirit of Louise Noun” is in honor of philanthropist, art historian, feminist, pioneer collector of women’s art, and civic and social activist, Louise Noun.
Louise Noun was extremely dedicated to the Des Moines Art Center. She gave a great deal of her leadership, guidance, and time to the Art Center. Throughout her lifetime, she “boldly collected the work of early 20th-century women artists who were little known at the time she acquired them.” In addition to her efforts with the arts, she also served as a president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and helped to start the Iowa Women's Political Caucus, the Young Women's Resource Center and the Des Moines chapters of the League of Women Voters and the National Organization for Women. As a final contribution to her efforts, she left more than 200 works from her female art collection to the Des Moines Art Center.
In the Spirit of Louise Noun was organized by Des Moines Art Center Senior Curator, Alison Ferris, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Young Women’s Resource Center, for which Noun was the leading founder. The exhibit features works from Noun’s collection paired with other works of art that “amplify the subjects and themes found in the work collected by Noun.” The works will “represent and embody the beauty, resiliency and strength that all women possess.” Be sure to visit this special exhibit to feel empowered and inspired at the Des Moines Art Center now through September 2nd.
Listen below to hear IPR’s Jacqueline Halbloom’s conversation with Alison Ferris.
