Visit to Sparkling Amazons at the Katonah Museum of Art

A Convergence of Art, Women,
Style and Birthday Cake

On Saturday, a group of friends traveled north from New York City on a Metro-North train to Katonah, N.Y. There we met my sister, Jeanne Markel, and continued to the Katonah Museum of Art to see "Sparkling Amazons: Abstract Expressionist Women of the 9th St. Show," a 1951 exhibition of 11 artists who showed work at a pop-up gallery (to use today's term) in New York City.

It was Jeanne's idea to plan this trip, not only to celebrate my birthday, but also to see the work of artists who had not been shown together since 1951 and who were dynamic leaders in a world of art dominated by men. It was Thomas Hess, an art critic for Art News, who called them "Sparkling Amazons". It was an apt sobriquet, as they were dedicated to making incandescent art and were fearless women in their practice.

The well-known names, Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Elaine de Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler and Grace Hartigan are joined at the KMA by lesser known ones: Perle Fine, Anne Ryan, Sonia Sekula, Day Schnabel, Jean Steubing and Guitou Knoop.

We were 10 fearless, sparkling women who love art, style and creativity. There could not have been a better segue to a joyous day than the convergence of these elements.

Jeanne Markel and Carol Markel.
Jeanne is a trustee of the Katonah Museum of Art.

Arriving at the KMA are Carol Markel, Debra Rapoport 
and artfulcitystyle.

 Michael Gitlitz, Executive Director of the KMA with 

Inge Brouard Brown, trustee emeritus and the

founder of the Katonah Gallery which later became the

Katonah Museum of Art.

Jean of the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas.

Our KMA docent, Bonni Stanley, informed us
with her deep knowledge and vibrant  anecdotes.

 1959 painting by Elaine de Kooning entitled "Bullfight".
I love the passion of its color and brushwork.

1957 masterwork by Lee Krasner called "The Seasons".
On loan from The Whitney Museum of Art.
I respond to its swirling forms and lush color.

Here is our group at the KMA with Valerie of the
Idiosyncratic Fashionistas front and center in the harem pants with orange splashes.
Photo by Katonah Museum of Art
Did somebody say "Birthday?"

This day was also my birthday.
We gathered at The Whitlock restaurant in Katonah for lunch.
 Jeanne ordered a beautiful pear
and dark chocolate mousse cake from L'Anjou Patisserie Francaise in
Mt. Kisco, N.Y. 

Ready to make a wish. 

 Because she knows I love all things French, Jeanne
make these place cards and used one of my drawings.

She also created a trivia game for each person.

Trivia questions.
Debra Rapoport got the most right and won the prize.

 Darsie Alexander, Chief Curator at The Jewish Museum
in New York, (center) with Inge Brown.
I told Jeanne no presents, but guests made
the most imaginative cards and gifts anyway.
Of course they did!

 Maryann Van Dongen in a
beautifully embellished sweater.

 Maryann made this magnetic board using pictures of me, 
my art and my dresses. Each picture is a separate magnet that
you can take off and move around.
It's amazing.

Farewell shot at the Katonah train station.
L-R: Debra Rapoport, Valerie of Idiosyncratic Fashionistas,
Nonnie Balcer and Jean, of Idiosyncratic Fashionistas.


A Bientot!