Wilhelmina Cole Holladay (1922–2021), founder of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, dedicated herself to addressing the underrepresentation of women artists in museums and galleries worldwide. Explore her life and legacy in this memorial exhibition.

This exhibition presents approximately 30 images photographer Mary Ellen Mark made throughout her career depicting girls and young women. The images are drawn from an exceptional recent donation of more than 160 photographs by the artist, given by members of the Photography Buyers Syndicate.

Textile and social practice artist Sonya Clark (b. 1967) is renowned for her mixed-media works that address race and visibility, explore Blackness, and redress history. This exhibition—the first survey of Clark’s 25-year career—includes the artist’s well-known sculptures made from black pocket combs, human hair, and thread as well as works created from flags, currency, beads, cotton plants, pencils, books, a typewriter, and a hair salon chair. 

Explore the possibilities of paper in Paper Routes, the sixth installment of NMWA’s exhibition series Women to Watch, showcasing the transformation of this everyday material into surprising works of art. Ranging from delicate and minute to dense and monumental, works in Paper Routes reveal the diversity of approaches and inventive paths taken by contemporary artists.

This exhibition features books that incorporate and expand upon simple accordion folds to add complexity and movement. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

DMV Color features an eclectic assortment of contemporary books, graphic novels, photobooks, and zines by women of color with ties to the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. This exhibition includes select audio contributions from the artists discussing their work.

This exhibition features unbound books, or books without traditional bindings. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

This exhibition features altered books, art objects created with existing printed books. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

This exhibition features books that transform into recognizable objects that tell stories or reveal information. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them. 

This exhibition features accordion books that open and close like their namesake musical instruments. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them. 

This exhibition features carefully engineered movable books that transform into three-dimensional marvels. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

This exhibition features the codex, the most common book format made of pages bound to a spine. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

Explore a selection of key artworks from the museum’s collection with a focus on fashion, looking at how representations of dress and costume through the ages express ideas about both the subject and the artist.

The heartfelt letters showcased in this online exhibition are from the last few years before Matilde Calderón de Kahlo’s death.The letters highlight the personal affection between Frida Kahlo and her mother and showcase Kahlo as the person, not the icon.