Show Preview | Women Artists of the West’s 56th National Exhibition

The Centerpiece, Raleigh, NC
October 9-November 6

Opening October 9 at The Centerpiece in Raleigh, North Carolina, is the 56th National Exhibition of the Women Artists of the West. The show, titled Limitless, celebrates the breadth and talent of today’s women artists who are members of the organization. Their work for the show includes paintings and sculptures in a wide range of style, media and subjects—from landscapes, wildlife and figurative works to still lifes and other representational art. Many of the participating artists are nationally recognized, award-winning professionals whose work can be found in museum collections.

“[The word] limitless, for me, is about the power of possibility,” says artist J. M. DeLipsey, a WAOW Master Emeritus and the group’s venue chair. As DeLipsey sees it, women artists often navigate challenges their male counterparts may not—from balancing a creative career with caring for children or aging family members, to overcoming barriers within the art world. Yet those same experiences can deepen an artist’s vision, strengthen compassion and shape the way she sees the world. “Limitless offers hope by encouraging us to look beyond constraints and recognize that opportunities can accompany difficult circumstances,” she says.

Cathy Trachok, whose painting OF GLORY IN THE FLOWER is featured in the exhibition, says being part of WAOW is meaningful and inspiring. She explains, “I hope visitors see that, regardless of subject matter, WAOW artists are an eclectic group of women united by a shared professionalism, camaraderie and love of what they do.”

“I am very proud to be a member of and associated with WAOW,” says artist Joey Frisillo, whose piece EAGLE MARSH CANAL is in the exhibition. Her work focuses on a field bursting with the fall colors of a hometown nature preserve. “Its beauty and mission to showcase the natural habitat is what inspired me,” she says.

Kathy Harder says being a member of WAOW is not just about showcasing high-quality art, but it also provides an opportunity to be part of a movement that supports and advocates for fellow women artists. She explains, “An exhibition with this kind of history and legacy allows women to publicly share their skills while creating greater opportunities for visibility and growth.” Harder will exhibit NOON BREAK, a painting inspired by the annual tradition of calf branding and the compelling visual moment it created. “As I gazed over to the fence I noticed the unusual way the horse was tied up,” she recalls. “I captured it on camera and wanted to paint it.”

For more than five decades, WAOW has championed professional women artists through juried exhibitions, educational opportunities and professional fellowship. DeLipsey says the organization has grown tremendously while remaining true to its original mission, explaining, “Our founders began by supporting one another and selling artwork at rodeos. Today, many of our members have work in the permanent collections of museums across the United States.”

Even so, she notes, art by women still accounts for only about 10 to 13 percent of museum collections in the United States, and many major Western art exhibitions continue working toward greater representation. “Our organization, and others like it, wants to help open more doors for women artists,” DeLipsey shares. “For us, the quality of the work is what matters most. The remarkable range of artwork in this exhibition—from oils and watercolors to scratchboard, charcoal and sculpture—is one of its greatest strengths.”

The exhibition is free and open to the public. An opening reception will be held Friday, October 9, from 5 to 8 p.m., and the exhibition will remain on view through November 6. —Doreen Manning

contact information
womenartistsofthewest.org

This story appeared in the October/November 2026 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Subscribe today to read every issue in its entirety.