National Geographic exhibition at Washington Pavilion highlights century of change for women

This paid piece is sponsored by Washington Pavilion Management Inc.

Celebrate trailblazing women locally and beyond with the debut of an art exhibition from National Geographic at the Washington Pavilion.

Now open, the “WOMEN: A Century of Change” exhibition features more than 100 images from National Geographic archives that reveal the lives of women from more than 30 countries, from the turn of the 20th century to the present.

Photo by Eliza Scidmore

“It’s exciting to partner with a reputable, international brand like National Geographic. It’s also evidence of how we continue to advance the Washington Pavilion’s mission of delivering memorable experiences, especially as our community continues to grow,” said Margaret Carmody, chief strategy officer at the Washington Pavilion.

“A big part of our future includes bringing in new art, entertainment and cultural experiences that enhance the quality of life for those in our community.”

As an artist who often works with portraiture, Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center assistant curator Erin Castle understands what a facial expression or posture can capture about a moment in time.

Photo by Karen Kasmauski

“The camera is the paintbrush, and the photographer the painter, and when it comes to NatGeo, these photographers are the Michaelangelos of their medium,” she said.

“These photos are so much more than pictures on a wall; they are a bridge to empathy, understanding to a wider view of the world. My hope is that this exhibition opens the door for newcomers to the Visual Arts Center and invites our guests, regardless of their background or experience, to be inspired, to feel welcome in this space that is here for them and to build a greater sense of community through art.”

These powerful images are organized into six themes: joy, beauty, love, wisdom, strength and hope. Through these themes, visitors will experience how women around the world have filled their days, been perceived, faced challenges and more.

Photo by Amy Toensing

“Creating a flow or path for the viewer that feels natural is our goal, so these incredible stories are what stays with you,” Castle said.

These iconic and celebrated photographs were taken by renowned National Geographic photographers such as Jodi Cobb, Lynsey Addario, Ami Vitale, Erika Larsen and Steve McCurry.

Photo by Jodi Cobb

It was clear even when the work arrived in crates that this would be a masterful show, Castle said.

“The crates alone are works of art,” she said. “True professionals put this show together thoughtfully and thoroughly in every aspect: shipping, packaging, framing, communicating, the whole thing. I have personally collected National Geographic magazines since childhood, so to actually hold and hang photographs I recognize has been incredible.”

In order to accommodate an exhibition this large, “it was important to develop a very thorough map, accounting for the size of each framed piece, its informational tag and the space in between each work prior to the arrival of the six crates of photographs,” she added.

“I hope that our community knows that to see incredible art you don’t have to leave Sioux Falls. It’s here at your doorstep, and the quality of work that we show regularly in the Visual Arts Center is right up there with this show.”

Expanding on the exhibition

In conjunction with the traveling exhibition, the Washington Pavilion will host a three-part speaker series highlighting local women of change.

“Immediately, we knew that integrating an educational programming component, especially with an exhibition of this magnitude, would create a more enriching and immersive experience for our guests,” Carmody said.

Photo by Matthieu Paley

“The exhibition highlights the journey of women from across the globe over the past century, exploring different themes of strength, joy, beauty, love, wisdom and hope. We know that those journeys and themes exist right here in our own community just as they do in other corners of the world. We created the speaker series to help bring awareness of where women have been – but importantly where we are going.”

The first will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Visual Arts Center and Belbas Theater, featuring a panel of local women across many generations sharing insightful narratives about their unique life experiences.

Opening remarks:

• Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, president, Augustana University

Panelists:

• Natalie Eisenberg, CEO, Click Rain
• Candy Hanson, South Dakota Advocacy Network for Women
• Wendy Mamer, career and academic planning specialist, Augustana University
• Angelica Mercado-Ford, educator, artist, poet and community advocate
• Harriet Yocum, CEO/owner, Madison Investments

To learn more and register, click here. 

“Bringing together a diverse group of women allows us to have an inclusive conversation about the unique experiences, challenges and triumphs that have shaped us,” Carmody said. “When we incorporate the intergenerational perspective, I think it enhances the discussion. There’s so much we can learn from each other, especially when we remove the generational boundaries.”

Future speaker sessions will highlight three talented local photographers who will use their cameras to bring the themes of the exhibition to life through a Sioux Falls lens, as well as a lecture titled on the concept “Future Is Female,” featuring a professor from USD.

“So often, we experience things in a vacuum. This speaker series allows us to showcase the exhibition and provide curator-led tours, while also making connections to things happening right here in South Dakota. Our intention is to add depth of knowledge and meaning not only to the women photographed but also to the female leaders in our state that have so much to offer,” said Madelyn Grogan, director of museums and education for Washington Pavilion Management Inc.

“As an organization, we are constantly seeking ways to bring people into our building and take in the wonderful experiences we have. We are so fortunate to offer this exhibition to the community, and we want to seize the opportunity. This is a powerful exhibition that naturally lends itself to educational opportunities.”

The Washington Pavilion’s STEAM coordinator is planning additional interactive activities tied to the exhibit.

Photo by David Bowman

Those include activities such as “What’s Your Word?” where visitors will choose among words tied to the National Geographic exhibition and will write on the back why they chose that card. Cards will be placed on floating shelves. There also will be a map with stickers showing where photos were taken, and visitors can add stickers showing where they are from.

More ways to celebrate

Special events to mark the Washington Pavilion’s 25th anniversary year will continue throughout 2024. Upcoming events include:

Bill Nye on May 2 

Best known as the host of the PBS children’s show, Bill Nye “The Science Guy” will present an engaging and educational 45-minute presentation in the Mary W. Sommervold Hall. The event will include an exclusive 45-minute question-and-answer session. Audience members can look forward to an inspiring conversation centered around a variety of science topics.

Sutton Foster and All-Day Celebration on June 1

The Washington Pavilion will host a full day of fun activities both inside and outside the facility June 1, including:

• Live entertainment
• Beer garden
• Celebratory cupcakes
• Free museums access
• Radley Rex appearances
• And much more!

The all-day celebration will culminate with a special concert inside the Washington Pavilion by two-time Tony award-winning actress and singer Sutton Foster, featuring renowned Broadway classics. Sutton is best known for her role as Marian Paroo in the celebrated revival of “The Music Man,” her notable performances as Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes” and her lead role in the critically acclaimed Darren Star and TV Land series “Younger,” which ran for seven seasons.

Tickets for Bill Nye “The Science Guy” and Sutton Foster are on sale now.