JOURNAL ARTICLE

Women Artists Shaping Culture.

  • Published In: Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, 2026, v. 119, n. 1. P. 79 1 of 3

  • Database: America: History and Life with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Mckinsey, Kristan H. 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the significant contributions of Illinois women artists to public sculpture and mural art from the late nineteenth century through the New Deal era. Despite early societal doubts about women’s ability to create large-scale works, artists such as Adelaide Johnson, Julia Bracken, and Evelyn Beatrice Longman produced prominent sculptures displayed at national venues including the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and the U.S. Capitol. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) further expanded opportunities for women artists in the 1930s and 1940s, with nearly 19 percent of Illinois participants being women who created hundreds of murals, sculptures, and paintings for public buildings. These public artworks served as accessible cultural expressions that engaged communities and continue to enrich public spaces. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 2026/03, Vol. 119, Issue 1, p79
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Economics
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:1522-1067
  • DOI:10.5406/23283335.119.1.21
  • Accession Number:192456756
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society is the property of Illinois State Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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