The Association of Women Art Dealers aims to provide a professional support network resulting from monthly meetings, regular masterclasses for members, networking events and online presence & facilities. Current AWAD membership types include Founder (all places taken), Individual (up to five Director memberships per gallery) and International. Currently, members are predominantly based in London and throughout the United Kingdom, however, many members deal and work worldwide.
The Association was started by Susan Johnson Mumford – an AWAD member herself – in 2009, as a not-for-profit entity, in an effort to help fellows in the commercial art world. Several years on, AWAD is thirty-six (and growing!) member strong organisation with business regularly being passed between members and collaborations frequently being realised. This is in addition to AWAD participation in International Art Fairs (most recently the Watercolours & Works on Paper Fair and the International Art & Antiques Fair, Olympia, both in London in 2011).
AWAD highlights its support of members at all points in one’s career, ranging from senior established professionals to start-ups (the latter receiving invaluable mentoring from established peers).
Current members include:
Barbara Stanley, Catherine Porter, Christabel Armsden, Cynthia Corbett, Elinor Olisa, Francesca Fiumano, Heashin Kwak, Hely Norton, Chiko Nara, Isobel Beauchamp, Jess Wilder, Linda Blackstone, Lisa Sharpe, Lucy Johnson, Sandra Higgins, Shirley Crowther, Sonia Crivello, Susan Johnson Mumford, Tamara Demidenko, Vera Schumacher, Camilla Zervoglos, Helene Schneider, Gina Cross, Jennifer Moran, Margaret Cowley, Wendy Grellman, Keiko Cowley, Byrna West, Sylvie Gormezano, Eleanor Jordan, MK Semos, Sarah Wiseman, Kristen Knupp, Laurie MacLaren, Karin Weber and Stephanie Braun.
Testimonials
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with AWAD in the latter half of this year and I am very much looking forward to the programme in 2012. It has been invaluable to me as I have gone about launching Flash and the supportive atmosphere is very encouraging, both professionally and personally.
Christabel Armsden, Director, Armsden
Last year I joined AWAD as a founder member. Through my membership of AWAD, I was able to exhibit at the Olympia Fine Art & Antiques Fair earlier this year in collaboration with three other AWAD members with positive results. I have also moved into new gallery premises with another founder member, a move which has dramatically reduced my overhead and provides me with support for my business. AWAD offers a wonderful platform in which to meet other women operating in the art world and share ideas and best practice. I am delighted to be a part of such a dynamic association.
Barbara Stanley, Director, Barbara Stanley Gallery, Irish Contemporary Art
