FEMME Art Fair is bringing more than 100 women artists to The Square in downtown Washington, D.C., from Aug. 27–30. Organized by USAN USAN and the Our Daughters’ Futures Fund, the four-day event combines exhibitions, workshops, discussions, book signings and direct artwork sales centered on women in the arts.
Key Takeaways
- FEMME Art Fair runs Aug. 27–30 at The Square in downtown Washington, D.C.
- More than 100 women artists are participating in the fair.
- Organizers say 100% of artwork sales go directly to participating artists.
- About 75% of exhibitors are from the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region.
- The schedule includes workshops, book signings, discussions and a Guerrilla Girls mural unveiling.
FEMME Art Fair Brings More Than 100 Women Artists to D.C.
More than 100 women artists are participating in FEMME Art Fair at The Square in downtown Washington, D.C., as the event brings exhibitions and artist-focused activities together from Aug. 27–30.
The fair was organized by USAN USAN and the Our Daughters’ Futures Fund. Its schedule includes art exhibitions, workshops, book signings and discussions, alongside opportunities for visitors to purchase work directly from participating artists.
The event is centered on women artists and their work, with organizers also incorporating activities focused on the professional and business aspects of the arts.
About 75% of the exhibitors are from the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region. The regional participation gives the fair a substantial local component while bringing more than 100 women artists together in one downtown location.
Participating artists work across mediums that include painting, sculpture, fiber and interdisciplinary art. The range of work gives the event a format that extends beyond a single artistic medium or exhibition style.
The fair also includes an all-women DJ lineup, adding music to the exhibition schedule. The combination of visual art, discussions, workshops and other activities gives visitors several ways to engage with participating artists and their work.
The event adds to the range of recent coverage of women working across creative fields, including artists developing multidisciplinary practices such as multimedia art practices that combine several forms of visual expression.
The Square Hosts the Four-Day Women-Focused Art Fair
The Square in downtown Washington, D.C., is the central venue for the four-day event. FEMME Art Fair runs through Aug. 30, with activities scheduled across the duration of the fair.
The event’s schedule includes workshops and discussions in addition to exhibitions. Book signings are also part of the lineup, creating space for activities beyond artwork displays and sales.
The fair’s organizers have included sessions addressing the business side of art. That focus places the professional realities of creative work alongside the presentation of artwork.
FEMME Art Fair also features work by artists from the greater Washington region. With about three-quarters of exhibitors coming from D.C., Maryland or Virginia, local artists make up most of the participating group.
The event was created by USAN USAN and the Our Daughters’ Futures Fund. Their collaboration brings the fair’s exhibition, sales and educational activities under a women-focused arts initiative.
The schedule also includes participation from the Guerrilla Girls, an established feminist art collective. A Guerrilla Girls mural unveiling is planned at Union Market as part of the event’s activities.
The focus on women working in creative industries also parallels stories about women building careers in music, including independent music careers in fields where artists develop audiences and professional opportunities through their own work.
Artwork Sales Go Directly to Participating Artists
Artwork sales are a central part of FEMME Art Fair’s structure. Organizers say 100% of artwork sales go directly to the artists participating in the fair.
The sales model gives visitors an opportunity to purchase work from the artists represented at the event while directing those transactions to the participating creators.
For women artists, the fair combines public exhibition with direct sales rather than limiting participation to display space. The format places artwork purchases alongside workshops, discussions and other activities focused on the arts.
The event also connects creative work with professional development. Its schedule includes sessions addressing the business side of art, providing a setting where artistic work and the practical aspects of maintaining a creative career appear within the same event.
The participating artists represent multiple forms of visual art. Painting, sculpture, fiber and interdisciplinary work are among the areas represented at the fair, giving the sales and exhibition component a varied selection of work.
The direct-sales structure also distinguishes the commercial component of the event from a conventional exhibition in which visitors primarily view artwork. Visitors attending FEMME Art Fair can engage with the work while also having the opportunity to buy pieces from participating artists.
The business side of creative work is also relevant to women building independent ventures. Recent coverage has examined women-led creative businesses that combine creative services with independent ownership and business growth.
Regional Artists Make Up Most of the Exhibitor Lineup
Artists from the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region account for about 75% of the FEMME Art Fair exhibitor lineup.
The regional representation places local and nearby women artists at the center of the event while maintaining participation from artists beyond the immediate area.
The exhibitor group includes artists working in painting, sculpture, fiber and interdisciplinary practices. The range of mediums allows the fair to present different approaches to visual art within the same women-focused setting.
Photo Credit: Unsplash.com
The regional makeup also connects the fair with the Washington area’s creative community. The event’s downtown location provides a central venue for the exhibitions, sales and scheduled activities.
The fair is organized around women artists rather than a single medium or artistic category. Its combination of local participation, exhibitions and direct sales gives participating artists several forms of engagement with visitors.
The event’s organizers have also incorporated activities beyond the sale and display of artwork. Workshops, discussions and book signings are included in the schedule, while the Guerrilla Girls mural unveiling extends the event to another Washington location.
The Union Market mural unveiling adds a public-art component to the fair’s activities. It is separate from the exhibitions and artwork sales taking place at The Square.
Workshops and Cultural Events Expand the Fair Schedule
FEMME Art Fair’s schedule extends beyond exhibitions and artwork sales through workshops, book signings and discussions.
The workshops provide an educational component within the four-day event. Discussions add sessions focused on the arts, while book signings give participating creators and visitors another activity connected to creative work.
The fair also includes an all-women DJ lineup. The music schedule adds live performance to an event otherwise centered on visual art, workshops and discussions.
The Guerrilla Girls are part of the cultural schedule through a mural unveiling at Union Market. The feminist art collective’s participation adds a public-art activity to the event’s exhibitions and sessions.
The combination of activities means the fair includes several formats for engaging with women in the arts. Visitors can view exhibitions, attend workshops and discussions, participate in book signings and purchase artwork directly from artists.
The event continues through Aug. 30 at The Square in downtown Washington, D.C. The schedule brings the participating artists, educational activities and sales opportunities together during the four-day fair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FEMME Art Fair?
FEMME Art Fair is a women-focused art fair in Washington, D.C., featuring more than 100 women artists. Its schedule includes exhibitions, workshops, discussions, book signings and artwork sales.
When is FEMME Art Fair in Washington, D.C.?
FEMME Art Fair runs from Aug. 27 through Aug. 30. The four-day event is being held at The Square in downtown Washington, D.C.
How many women artists are participating in FEMME Art Fair?
More than 100 women artists are participating. About 75% of the exhibitors are from the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region.
Where is FEMME Art Fair being held?
The main fair is being held at The Square in downtown Washington, D.C. A separate Guerrilla Girls mural unveiling is also scheduled at Union Market.
Do artwork sales go directly to the artists?
Organizers say 100% of artwork sales go directly to participating artists. The fair combines direct sales with exhibitions, workshops and other scheduled activities.
