‘Beyond the Vote Exhibit’ showcases local female artists, history of women’s suffrage

The Durham Museum’s “Beyond the Vote Exhibit” celebrates the 100^th year anniversary of the 19^th Amendment and showcases women’s suffrage. This exhibit is open for a year, and worth the trip to the famous Omaha Durham Museum Located off of 10^th St in downtown Omaha.

A group of five local female artists have been working on this exhibit since 2019. The original date selected to introduce the exhibit was on the 100^th year celebration of the 19^th Amendment, August 26, 2020, but due to COVID-19 it was postponed. The Museum decided that releasing the exhibit in March, during Women’s History Month, was equally impactful.

Museum Curator Emma Sundberg said that the time to reflect on women’s history is always. 

“Women’s History is always important and bringing in the subjects that are still relevant today to see those connections.  For contemporary issues tracing all the way back to even suffrage issues just a hundred years ago. I think there is also, to see the growth, but also to see where we need to improve,” Sundberg said.

The five female artists who have helped create the exhibit hope that people cultivate meaning and feelings in their work. Sundberg said it’s an opportunity for guests to see women’s history through the artist point of view.

“Through the artists’ eyes, hopefully that connection, also, is a fun way for visitors to experience history in a different way,” Sundberg said.

Exhibit attendee Rachel Larson can attest that some of the pieces in the exhibit nearly moved her to tears.

“I started tearing up a little bit at one of them, because I feel that not a lot has changed, unfortunately,” she said.

Larson brought along her young son and addressed what it means to her to ensure her son is educated on women’s history.

“I’m really trying to instill in him that it’s okay to do that, in fact it’s more than okay, It’s Vital, for boys to rise up and learn equal parts,” Larson said.

The exhibit is open until the end of January 2021. The Durham Museum is also going to be providing virtual artist panels with their featured artists. Durham plans to do some programming for education purposes, as well. Regular admission starts at $11 for adults, $8 for kids age 3-12 and seniors. Children under two years can attend for free.