Mary H. Dana Women Artists Series

The Mary H. Dana Women Artists Series (DWAS) is the oldest continuous running exhibition space in the United States dedicated to making visible the work of emerging and established contemporary women artists. It is a program of CWAH in partnership with Rutgers University Libraries.

DWAS was founded by alumna artist Joan Snyder (Douglass College ’62) and established at the Mabel Smith Douglass Library in 1971 under the leadership of Library Director, Daisy Brightenback Shenholm (DC ’44). Formerly known as the Women Artists Series, in 1987 the Series was endowed by Professor Emerita Nelle Smither and renamed in memory of her friend Mary H. Dana (DC ’42). To date, DWAS has shown over 500 artists and continues to be a key contemporary exhibition space presenting cutting edge solo and group exhibitions. In addition, DWAS hosts the annual Estelle Lebowitz Endowed Visiting Artist exhibition.

DWAS exhibitions are curated by invitation only. However, we will consider individual curatorial proposals.
Contact Us to be added to the CWAH email list or to submit a proposal inquiry.