Executive Director Scott Hobbs launched the AFWA initiative in response to an inquiry to the Cameron Parsons Foundation. This particular inquiry believed they uncovered a newfound drawing by Cameron; the inquiry brought the board’s attention to, like Cameron, another almost forgotten women artist, the Boston-based painter Betty Gross (1926-2016). Aligning the Foundation’s mission that ensures Cameron’s work would not be disregarded, neglected, and least of all forgotten, the Foundation began expanding its exploration of women artists who are contemporaries of Cameron soon after they uncovered Betty Gross’s paintings.
Having successfully safeguarded Cameron’s place in history with her work now in the permanent collections of MOCA, LACMA, the Whitney, and the Hammer Museums, the board has agreed to cultivate an inaugural exhibit of five women artists from the same era as Cameron utilizing Cameron and her work as a template to bring into focus the nearly forgotten.
The Beginnings of AFWA
Cameron ‘Madame X with Scott Hobbs at Marc Selwyn Fine Art.
“The initiative is a natural evolution of the Foundation’s mission, very few women made it into the art world during Cameron’s era, it is no secret that there has been significant disparity in the art world regarding women artists of the 20th century. When you think of successful women artists who does one think of? Generally, only a few names are remembered. Why is it a de Kooning has sold for millions of dollars, yet women of equal talent have not? If AFWA does not seek to identify and consider women artists of the 20 th century, who is going to advocate for them?”
— Scott Hobbs
a natural evolution of the Foundation’s mission
AFWA’s work is twofold:
Identifying forgotten women artists
We select artists who were contemporaries of Cameron Parsons and whose works were undervalued or underrepresented during their lifetime.
Partnering with art institutions
AFWA works to bring these artists' works to the forefront by partnering with museums and galleries to create exhibitions that celebrate their legacies.
The process leading up to an exhibit often involves collaboration with the artist’s heirs. AFWA assists families in digitizing, archiving, and preserving artwork, helping to locate lost pieces and ensuring the artist’s legacy is protected. We also help families find secure storage for works when needed.
Cameron, The Meeting 1948.
“Without the call from two young collectors in Boston asking to authenticate a small Cameron drawing found at an auction in Palm Springs, this idea would not have crossed my mind.”
— Scott Hobbs