The Mattress Factory stands in solidarity with the Black community, of Pittsburgh and nationally, and all those who fight for justice.
Statements of solidarity like this are necessary. To be silent is to be complicit.
But statements are not enough. As a museum, we realize that cultural institutions profit and grow their profiles from the work of Black artists and creatives. And as an educational and community institution, we cannot celebrate Black history but fail to acknowledge today’s struggles and the need for immediate action.
Now in our fourth year, as a small step, the Mattress Factory will donate 100% of its revenue for all membership sales (new, upgrades and renewals) in the month of June to an organization that supports Black art in our region. This year we honor Women of Visions more than 40-year history of artistic excellence. Women of Visions, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based organization of visual artists that exhibit and promote the art of Black women given few opportunities to showcase their work. Through exhibition, education and other unique opportunities, the WOV organization mounts group and collaborative gallery shows, teaches art classes to people of every generation and has networked to build relationships in the arts and lay community both in and outside the city of Pittsburgh.
Learn more about our various membership levels and benefits. As a reminder, every membership level grants free and unlimited visits to the Mattress Factory for a full year, plus many other incredible discounts such as early access to exhibition openings, member-exclusive artist talks, discounts at the MF Shop and Boxspring Café, and more!
Purchase your membership today to support Women of Visions, Inc. and Black creatives now, and encourage others to learn more and give more to Black artists in our community.
Click here to Support Black Art Now!
Co-founded in 1981 by a group of enterprising, African-American women, an organization of visual artists, now known as Women of Visions, Inc. (WOV), was formed to exhibit and promote the art of Black women given few opportunities to showcase their work. Today, through exhibition, education and other unique opportunities, the WOV organization mounts group and collaborative gallery shows, teaches art classes to people of every generation and has networked to build relationships in the arts and lay community both in and outside the city of Pittsburgh. The members of WOV represent a diverse range of lifestyles, and artistic experience; thus rich and varied expressions of personal, social and political views are presented. Throughout 40 years, Women of Visions, Inc. has continued to nurture and support professional and emerging women artists of color, and to bring to the general public the full richness and scope of our cultural heritage.
"Following a 40 year history, Women of Visions is being celebrated as America's longest running, African-American Women's visual arts non profit. Along with numerous exhibitions and collaborations, we continue to break new ground due to our deep commitment to our members, the arts community and arts landscape of Pittsburgh. We are honored to be recognized by Mattress Factory for our contributions." --Christine Bethea, President, Women of Visions, Inc.