PRIME SEASON
Women artrepreneurs
“Making art, helping others to make art, and reaching another person’s intuitive nature is the reward” Catherine Carter
Ron Fortier
In 2017, New Bedford was awarded the Commonwealth Award for being a place “where art and culture are presented, and where artists live and work, providing a model for cities everywhere.”
The award recognized an entire community for working together, but the true driving force behind it was a collection of women pushing the city forward. This artistic community has grown exponentially in the last several years. And, while there has always been a creative community within the city, this latest edition is by far the most vibrant. Women generally and traditionally have more responsibilities and titles than men. The women featured in this article include mothers, caretakers, partners, and business owners.
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“Being a part of the lively South Coast art community is the breath of life for my creative soul.” Jill Law
S ou th C oast P r ime T imes
There are also other women in the arts. Those who head-up cultural organizations, museums, art associations, and much more deserve the recognition as well. The women featured here continue to persevere, thrive and are visibly successful as artists, art teachers, entrepreneurs – or artrepreneurs, if you will. Catherine Carter, for example, who owns her own art school, the Catherine Carter Art Studio, and sells her art through her other business, Catherine Carter Fine Art, says, “I am not a mother, and I have the greatest admiration for women who
M arch /A pr il 2021
“As an artist and owner of an art gallery I am so happy to be so rounded by creativity” Judith Klein are both artists and mothers. Mothers are ultimately the most generous and giving people on the planet, and to be an artist, you must be protective of your time and your personal life to accomplish anything.” I asked Jill Law, an interior designer, artist, art education facilitator, and painter, what it means to be an artist, specifically in this creative community. She said that “Being a part of the lively South Coast art community is the breath of life for my creative soul. I feed upon the energy this vibrant community produces. Anything I can do to facilitate the freedom of expression among artists brings me joy, keeps me active, and moves me forward.” But why do they work so hard at it? Judith Klein, the gallerist, art instructor, and owner of the Judith Klein Art Gallery & Studio in the Kilburn Mill in New Bedford’s South End, relates that “My art
