Women in the arts is the theme for Women's History Month 1995

A year ago, a group of women faculty and staff began meeting to plan a "Women in Music" week. As they began to explore the idea and discuss it with others around campus, they found a great interest in expanding that theme to include women in all aspects of the arts. When they considered scheduling the event, Women's History Month seemed the perfect time. As a result, this year's celebration of Women's History Month at Emory features a program described by Women's Center Director Ali Crown as "immense and diverse with something to appeal to everyone."

Crown, who also is serving as the chairperson of the Georgia Women's History Month Committee, said, "Emory's observance of Women's History Month will commemorate the many contributions of women to art and culture. Artists, performers and speakers are drawn from Emory's own stellar faculty and students as well as from the local and national community." The committee that planned the month-long celebration included representatives from every area of the arts at Emory.

Events include lectures, performances, discussions and exhibits. Traditionally, events during the month have reflected a spiritual emphasis, and that is continued this year with a performance and worship service led by Native American women musicians, a spirituality workshop, a Jewish women's spiritual service and a celebration of spiritual seasons, otherwise known as the "Moon Howl."

An exhibit with more social and political than artistic significance also returns to campus this year. The Clothesline Project, a visual display bearing witness to violence against women, will be displayed March 27 and 28 on the east ramp of Cannon Chapel facing the quadrangle.

Highlights of Women's History Month events are listed below; see the calendar for a complete weekly listing of events.

March 1

Scholars and social activists Lee Knefelkamp and Evelyn T. Beck will address "Academics as Activists: The Complexities of Being Proud Lesbians and Out Jews" at 7:45 p.m. in the Winship Ballroom, Dobbs Center. Knefelkamp, a professor of higher education at Columbia University, is a scholar in student development theory and serves as chairperson and principal adviser of the College Teaching Program. Beck is a professor of women's studies and Jewish studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she served as director of the women's studies program from 1984 to 1993. She has written Kafka and the Yiddish Theater, The Prism of Sex and Nice Jewish Girls: A Lesbian Anthology.

March 2

"Dance Duets" will include a performance and discussion with Emory dance faculty members Anna Leo and Lori Teague at noon in the Reception Hall of the Carlos Museum. Music educator Ruth McDonald will present "The History of Women in Music" at 2:30 p.m. in 208 White Hall. The Third Annual Pride Banquet will begin at 7 p.m. in Winship Ballroom with Lee Knefelkamp and Evelyn T. Beck.

March 14

"Women in the Classical World," an in-gallery lecture with faculty member and museum curator Bonna Wescoat, at noon at the Classical Court of the Carlos Museum. An artist's reception with Diane Cook, whose acrylics on canvas will be on display in the Dobbs Center Gallery, will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the gallery.

March 15

Interfaith service, "Weaving Our Visions: Celebration of Women's Spirituality" with the Rev. Bobbi Patterson at noon in Cannon Chapel. At 5:30 p.m. faculty member and museum curator Rebecca Stone-Miller will discuss "Women Weavers in the Andes" in the Reception Hall of the Carlos Museum.

March 19

"Purafeacute;, Soni and Jennifer: Native American Women Singers" will perform at 7 p.m. in the Reception Hall of the Carlos Museum.

March 21

Screening: "Mother of Many Children," a film that examines the life of the Native American women, will begin at noon in the Reception Hall of the museum. Novelist, short story writer and poet Linda Hogan will conduct a public colloquium from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in 355 Dobbs Center. At 4:30 p.m. the Chaplain's Tea will feature Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, the Eleanor Raoul Professor of History, in the Formal Lounge of Cannon Chapel. "The Maiden Returns," an interactive musical-poetry performance conceived by Emory music faculty member Steven Everett, will begin at 8:15 p.m. in Cannon Chapel. Call 727-6187 for ticket information.

March 24

Famed jazz group the Shirley Horn Trio will perform at 8:15 p.m. in Glenn Memorial Auditorium. Tickets are required. Call 727-6187 for information.

March 25

A Spirituality Workshop with Rebecca Gurholt-Sands will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University Apartments. Cost is $12 general public. A staged reading of a new play by Anna Dolan will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary Gray Munroe Theater, Dobbs Center.

March 28

"Jumping Off," an ensemble performance piece conceived and developed by Brenda Bynum with a company of student writers and actors invoking the spirits of women artists throughout history, begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary Gray Munroe Theater. Call 727-6187 for free tickets.

March 30

"Three Women in the Arts: Theater, Dance and Film," a symposium with playwright Elizabeth Wong, dancer Claire Porter and filmmaker Leslie Thornton, begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Reception Hall of the Carlos Museum. A reception will follow. At 6 p.m. "PORTABLES, Dances and Words," a performance and discussion with artist Claire Porter, will begin in the P.E. Center dance studio. A staged reading of a new play by Elizabeth Wong will begin at 8 p.m. in the Mary Gray Munroe Theater.

The calendar of events will be supplemented by several exhibits on campus that include:

* A month-long photo exhibit of Emory women to be mounted in the Dobbs Center's Coca-Cola Commons area;

* "Compañeras: Women, Art and Social Change in Latin America," in Schatten Gallery, Woodruff Library;

* "Medieval Images" by Diane Cook in the Dobbs Center Gallery.

For information on Women's History Month call the Women's Center at 727-2000.

-- Joyce Bell