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 STATEMENT:

I was involved with the Feminist Art Program since it's beginning in 1970 at Cal State, Fresno. It was started by Judy Chicago and was a very exciting, energetic and creativte time. There were 20 women in the class and we rented a large studio off campus and were encouraged to do non-traditional work from a woman's point of view. I was heavily into costume and make-up and worked on collaborative photo and film images. I also dabbled with film. In the middle of our school year, Judy found out that she had been hired to teach at CalArts the following year and we alI became involved in the big push to create impressive portfolios so we would be accepted into the Feminist Art Program that Judy was now working out with Miriam Schapiro. About 1/2 of the women made the decision to go.
    At CalArts, we started out with a bang using our terrific energy doing Womanhouse. Ultimately, clashes in philosophy between our teachers weakened the Feminist Art Program. By the time I graduated in 1973, I was glad to be done with it. I went to graduate school at U.C.L.A. and felt that I was a part of the mainstream.
I did however remain involved with a women's co-op gallery, Grandview, and later was a member of Double X, a feminist organization that sponsored lectures and
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published a book "By Our Own Hands", by Faith Wilding which is a record of the Feminist Art Movement in Southern California.
     Looking back 25 years later, I have mixed feelings about the Feminist Art Program - We had something really incredible and unique and somehow we could not get beyond personalities and create a lasting support system.
    I deeply feel that my art has come directly out of thoughts and feelings related to my experience with the Feminist Art Program. I have continued to work and exhibit with a strong desire to be part of the art world in general.

Nancy Youdelman










Faith Wilding: By Our Own Hands. The Women Artist's Movement. Southern California 1970-1976. Santa Monica, 1977