Women artrepreneurs

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.

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 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 had been such a big part of my life, I am lucky that my work is my passion.”

Carter, on the other hand, doesn’t consider creating art to be work and she hastens to add, “I don’t think it’s ‘play’ either. What I mean is, it doesn’t feel like an effort; it is an activity that is pure joy and bliss.”

Okay, so they are driven by their passion, but how long will they continue pursuing it? Carter says, “As long as I can lift a brush! There is nothing that I would rather do.” Klein feels that, “As long as physically and mentally I can pursue my passion for art I will.”

And Law is in concert with them; she is totally committed and, “As long as I find the creative energy and continued inspiration of others, I will create.” But there is obviously more!

It seems that commitment is central to their drive, their success, and their art. “Being an artist is a privilege. I am thankful to have been born with a natural facility for drawing and painting, and to have the resources to work in my studio whenever I like.” says Carter.

“Making art, helping others to make art, and reaching another person’s intuitive nature is the reward,” Jill says. “I do not know what I would do if I could not create and help others to do the same for themselves.” She supports her statement with a quote from Martin Luther King, “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

Klein taught Fine Art in the Israeli public school system, continued her art education in Milan, Italy, and later emigrated to the United States with her husband Andre. “I am always inspired to be living in such a wonderful artist community. As an artist and owner of an art gallery I am so happy to be so rounded by creativity.” she says.

These artists were invited to participate in this article because they are considered some of the hardest working artists in the creative communities of the South Coast. And there are many, many more! Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese poet wrote, “And what is it to work with love? It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth… Work is love made visible.”

Ron Fortier is an international artist who emigrated to the Silver Coast of mainland Portugal where he lived, painted, and exhibited.