Exhibits

The Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame features more than 200 historical and contemporary women of Michigan who have been inducted since 1983. This permanent exhibit offers introductions to and highlights from the lives of each woman.

"Votes for Women"
This returning exhibit chronicles the history of the women's suffrage movement. You'll be introduced to national leaders such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton as well as Michigan women who figured prominently in the movement, including May Stocking Knaggs (Bay City), Anna Howard Shaw (Big Rapids), and Sojourner Truth (Battle Creek). Among the many interesting artifacts is a copy of the Women's Century Calendar dated 1900 which is signed by Anthony.

"Ladies of the Lights: Michigan Women in the U.S. Lighthouse Service"
January 14-June 27, 2008
Lighthouse keeping in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries was a rugged life of long hours and hard work punctuated by periods of real peril. Not a profession for the fainthearted, it was thought to be unsuitable employment for the “fairer sex.” But at least 50 women in Michigan proved the naysayers wrong. Acting as both assistants and full-fledged keepers, these women served the sailing community with distinction for more than 100 years—often juggling their official duties with the demands of raising a family. And more than one woman gave her life while in the Lighthouse Service. Stirring stories of dedication and determination may be found in this new exhibit, as well as hands-on activities for young and old!
Download a Teacher Activity Booklet about this exhibit

In the Belen Art Gallery...

"Painted Music"
January 27-March 28, 2008
Artist and educator Edee Joppich leads a group of women painters from the Visual Arts Association of Livonia in exploring the use of watercolors to describe another art form: music.

"Legacy: An Artist and Her Students"
April 6-May 31, 2008
Experience firsthand the drawings of artist/educator Shirley Hazlett and her young charges from Lansing's Pleasant View Magnet School for the Visual and Performing Arts. “My goal in developing this exhibit," Hazlett noted, "was to examine the teacher/student relationship, the exchange of ideas between the two, and how students sometimes model their work after that of their teachers.” The graphite and colored pencil drawings will feature portraits—several of them depicting honorees in the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame—and still lifes. The young artists include representatives from Pleasant View’s sixth, seventh, and eighth grades as well as ninth graders who recently graduated from the school.