Tag: Frances E. Willard

An Interview with Donna Wesley Spencer

July 21, 2016

2_DonnaWesleySpencerEPL716Donna Wesley Spencer is an Evanston photographer, founding member of Perspective Gallery, and the latest artist to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Her exhibit Inside the Frances Willard House is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through July 30th.  Featuring sixteen gorgeous interior shots of Willard’s home at 1730 Chicago Avenue, the exhibit celebrates one of Evanston’s greatest historical treasures and serves as a visual appetizer for the grand reopening of the Francis Willard House Museum in September 2016.  You can learn more about Spencer’s work by visiting her website, and we recently spoke with her via email about her artistic origins, falling in love with the Willard House, and what’s new at Perspective Gallery.

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Local Art @ EPL: Donna Wesley Spencer

July 1, 2016

Willard Parlor

Donna Wesley Spencer is an Evanston photographer, founding member of Perspective Gallery, and the next featured artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Her exhibit Inside the Frances Willard House is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through July 31st.  Featuring sixteen gorgeous interior shots of Willard’s home at 1730 Chicago Avenue, the exhibit celebrates one of Evanston’s greatest historical treasures and serves as a visual appetizer for the grand reopening of the Francis Willard House Museum in September 2016.  You can learn more about Spencer’s work by visiting her website, and make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in July for a featured interview with the artist herself.  Stay tuned.

Women's History Month: Frances Willard

March 28, 2016

willardOur Women’s History Month celebration draws to a close as we highlight one final influential woman from history as chosen by you.  Last but certainly not least is Frances Willard who was selected by Glen Madeja – a 44-year Evanston resident and the Executive Director of the Frances Willard Historical Association which manages the Frances Willard House Museum, Memorial Library, and Archives.  Writes Mr. Madeja:

“Frances Willard was a visionary feminist, social justice advocate, and political activist in the late 19th century.  She was able to mobilize women across the globe to work for women’s rights and human rights when women generally had no empowerment in the public sphere.  The basis for our modern social welfare policies can be found in the initiatives fomented by Willard.  Many things we commonly take for granted today such as women’s right to vote, childhood education, protection of women and children at home and work, stiffer penalties for sexual crimes against girls and women, traveler’s aid, police matrons, pure food and drug laws, legal aid, and passive demonstrations are based on the pioneering work of Willard and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.”

You can learn more below about Frances Willard, and make sure to mark your calendars for July 2016 when EPL hosts a special Frances Willard House photography exhibit.  Stay tuned.

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