A Commitment to Women’s Art
A Permanent Home for Austin Artists
Words by Tejal Thakkar Photos by Eric Morales
This local creative space has now been championing women artists for half a century. The nonprofit arts organization works to provide a safe space for women and people of all backgrounds through their art and community activities.
Women & Their Work (WTW) is a gallery, a learning space, a community center, and a collaboration zone all wrapped up into one. Chris Cowden, executive director, describes how WTW was “part of a nationwide movement of people who had traditionally been outside the system” in the 1970s. Instead of complaining about being outside the system, “they created their own system.” The idea for WTW sparked when the soon-to-be founders hosted a number of women’s art events that received incredible turnout. After the success of those events, they came together and incorporated Women & Their Work.
Over the last two decades, WTW did not have their own space. However, in 2020, they decided to buy a building in East Austin which was a huge step. According to Chris, “There aren’t many examples of visual art organizations that have bought their own space.” After months of searching, the team found the perfect location. Chris remembers thinking, “This building is such a charmer. It’s got such good bones.” The deal was just about to go through when the pandemic hit. Chris recalls, “So we went through the process on Zoom. There was excitement to push this through, especially with everything else going on in the world. It was a little miracle.”
Chris reflects on how a recession allowed them to get their first space in 1988. The economic downturn relaxed rents enough for them to be able to afford a space of their own. She believes, “Art moves in when there are economic problems.”
Today, WTW is located in their permanent home on East Cesar Chavez where they have a busy schedule in the upcoming months, from a lineup of artists selected into early 2024, as well as their education and community projects and events. Chris says they really enjoy being on the Eastside. “It’s so vibrant. This neighborhood is established, and they have a strong neighborhood association. It’s exciting to be here.” She hopes that “people feel welcome” when they come into the gallery and adds, “You can come in and watch a five-
minute interview with the artists, so if you don’t feel like you’ve had much of a background in art, you still feel welcome.”
Contact:
(512) 477-1064
womenandtheirwork.org
1311 E Cesar Chavez St.
