A longtime artist and philanthropist has gifted a $50,000 contribution to the Western New Mexico University Foundation to establish an artist lecture series, promoting women in the arts.
The Edwina and Charles Milner Artist Lecture Series is slated to begin in September of 2015. Mrs. Milner and her husband Charles gifted the donation to the University Foundation to provide public lectures of notable female artists as well as to create workshop activities for university students, public school students and the community.
The gift is the latest in a lifetime of creating awareness, by Mrs. Milner, about the importance of women in art.
“When I started painting after I graduated in 1953, at that time I felt that I had to sign my initials rather than my given name on my paintings,” explained Mrs. Milner, now 84 years old. “I don’t feel like that is the case anymore.”
For the next 60 years, Mrs. Milner worked on her own art as well as advancing the awareness of female artists wherever she lived and worked.
“There is still a very low percentage of female artists in exhibition,” said Milner. “This program will open women’s eyes to hopefully be involved in the arts.”
Mr. and Mrs. Milner, of Santa Fe, served on the board for the National Museum of Women in the Arts for 15 years. Additionally, Mrs. Milner has served on at least eight boards for different Santa Fe art museums.
“There were very few women representing galleries when I first started,” she explained. “The involvement of women in the arts is so important to advance.”
WNMU’s main campus is located in Silver City, a thriving art community boasting dozens of galleries throughout its historic arts and cultural district. WNMU often partners with galleries and the local arts council to help educate university students and youth in the community.
“The promotion of the arts is extremely important for the sustainability of any culture,” said WNMU President Joseph Shepard. “The Milner gift will allow our university to take a responsive role in promoting female artists as well as continuing our leadership in the integration of our community through the arts.”
WNMU’s partnership with the Mimbres Region Arts Council, among other entities, has created opportunities to expose the local community to art and culture with live music events and the expansion of the youth mural program.
The Expressive Arts Department is helping to facilitate the visiting artists and welcomes the gift. “This is a wonderful gift to the Expressive Arts Department,” said Michael Metcalf, Expressive Arts Department Chair. “Having a visiting female artist on campus annually for several days will benefit all of our art students and especially our female students.”
The Edwina and Charles Milner Artist Lecture Series is planning to host its first distinguished female artist in September.