50% of the Story - CSPM
  • Hours: Tues. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Free Admission
  • Hours: Tues. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Free Admission

50% of the Story

Art , Photography , Pikes Peak Regional History , Women’s History

50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity

Women have always been creative. Women have always been artistic. Women have always been artists. Yet, their work has remained largely unrecognized. This is not surprising, considering women’s art represents approximately 10% of works collected by museums. 50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity transforms the CSPM collection to more accurately reflect the complexity, diversity, and uniqueness of the Pikes Peak region. Using historic artwork and artifacts, alongside contemporary pieces, the 50% exhibit creates a beautiful conversation between women across time, demonstrating how they’ve always told their stories through art and creativity.  — From the CSPM Curator of History

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Left, landscape painting of mountains; Right, painting of the Antlers hotel.
Left, painting of bathers in a natural spring; Right, painting of city at night, lights aglow.
Title Wall for 50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity. Three pieces on display in a row from left to right: Large Portrait of a Woman with an afro hairstyle illustrating a pond; Title Panel describing the 50% exhibit; Painting of flowers in a vase.
Museum case; Black book with gold leaf detailing, pottery vase, handmade postcard, oblong handmade platter (left to right).
Nine artist works and central screen, artist works being of various sizes, subjects and media
Ten artist works, of various size, subject and media
Twelve artist works, of various size, subject and media
Museum case; abstract rabbit sculpture (left), shadowbox floral crown (right).
Nine artist works, of various size, subject and media.
Seven artist works, of various size, subject and media
Wooden abstract totem sculpture.
Fifteen artist works, of various size, subject and media.
Two paintings.
Eighteen artist works, of various size, subject and media.
Museum case; Face cast sculpture, woven textile mat, book open to a floral illustration (left to right).
Museum case; Vintage florals in shadowbox, ceramic bowl, silver cuff (left to right).
Museum case; Fabric scrap book, woolen mittens, sculpture of a mother and child, woolen hat (left to right).
Six artist works, of various size, subject and media.
Sixteen artist works, of various subject, size and composition.
Above, painting of pioneer family gathered in front of an oversized tent; Below, museum case of collections objects.
Museum case of collections items; Lace collar, homemade postcard, angel figurine, shadowbox floral pressing, lace strap, ceramic rabbit, and artist sketchbook (left to right).
Left, landscape painting of mountains; Right, painting of the Antlers hotel.
Mountain Range by Ernestine Parsons, Oil on Canvas 
“Mountain Range” by Ernestine Parsons
Oil on canvas of a landscape scene of Second Antlers Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs, Painting by Shirley Mitton.
“Second Antlers Hotel” by Shirley Mitton
Left, painting of bathers in a natural spring; Right, painting of city at night, lights aglow.
Sacred Bathers, Oil on Board, by Christy Callaham, Generously Donated by Tracy and Sushe Felix Christy Callaham,
“Sacred Bathers” by Christy Callaham
City Lights, Oil on Canvas, by Laura Reilly.
“City Lights” by Laura Reilly
Title Wall for 50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity. Three pieces on display in a row from left to right: Large Portrait of a Woman with an afro hairstyle illustrating a pond; Title Panel describing the 50% exhibit; Painting of flowers in a vase.
"Still Water", 2023, Acrylic on Canvas, Vashti Mims, Portrait of woman with her eyes closed, her afro hairstyle illustrates a pond filled with lily pads, lily pad flowers and a koi fish.
“Still Water” by Vashti Mims
Vase of Flowers, Oil on Canvas, Generously Donated by the Estate of Valerie L. Powell, Louise Greer, Painting of two sunflowers in a vase on a surface.
“Vase of Flowers” by Louise Greer
Museum case; Black book with gold leaf detailing, pottery vase, handmade postcard, oblong handmade platter (left to right).
Clay sculpted vase with abstract glaze streaks.
“Stoneware Pottery Vase” by Irene Kolodziej Musick
Floating Circles, Glazed Ceramic disk.
“Floating Circles” by Carroll Dorrell Hightower
Green covered vintage book; “Hetty’s Strange History, by Helen Hunt Jackson”.
“Hetty’s Strange History” by Helen Hunt Jackson
Handmade Postcard to JoAnn and John Orsborn, 1995, Mary Chenowith, Abstract painting of varying lines and swirls.
“Handmade Postcard” by Mary Chenowith
Nine artist works and central screen, artist works being of various sizes, subjects and media
latte River Mountains, 1924, Oil on Canvas, Generously Donated by Nelson A. Rieger, Anne Gregory (Van Briggle) Ritter.
“Platte River Mountain” by Anne Gregory (Van Briggle) Ritter
Major Domo at Glen Eyrie, Flora, Generously Donated by Louisa Creed, Pansy Stockton.
“Major Domo at Glen Eyrie” by Pansy Stockton
Mountain Pass, Oil on Board, Generously Donated by Robert Alexander, Harriet Freeman Wright. 
“Mountain Pass” by Harriet Freeman Wright
Pikes Peak Below Manitou, Oil on Board, Generously Donated by Robert Alexander, Harriet Freeman Wright.
“Pikes Peak Below Manitou” by Harriet Freeman Wright
Pikes Peak Signal Station, Watercolor on Paper, Henrietta Bromwell
“Pikes Peak Signal Station” by Henrietta Bromwell
Clarity, fiber art, Susan J. Bowman 
“Clarity” by Susan J. Bowman
Pikes Peak, earth, sand, mica, Audrey Gray
“Pikes Peak, earth, sand, mica” by Audrey Gray
First Light on Daniels Pass Trail, Generously Donated by Melani Tutt, Melani Tutt, Photograph of dense forest scene with sunlight illuminating through the trees.
“First Light on Daniels Pass Trail” by Melani Tutt
Screenshot of Poet Laureate of Pikes Peak Region Ashley Cornelius performing "Prismatic."
“Prismatic” by Ashley Cornelius
Screenshot of Lynn Hastings Performance.
“Monologue from Every Brilliant Thing” by Lynne Hastings
Screenshot of the video "The Mile" by Lilly Parsons. The scene is Lilly on laying on the ground propping herself up with two hands.
“Mile” by Lilly Parsons
Bear Lake, 1956, Watercolor on Paper, Generously Donated by Tracy and Sushe Felix, Elise Train
“Bear Lake” by Elise Train
Ten artist works, of various size, subject and media
The Mine Dumps (at Victor, CO), 1934, Laura Gilpin.
“The Mine Dumps (at Victor, CO)” by Laura Gilpin
Kinnikinnik, 1974 , Generously Donated by the Gambucci Collection, Acordia of Colorado, Ann H. Zwinger 
“Kinnikinnik” by Ann H. Zwinger
Stained Glass Iris, 2003, Quilt, Inspired by the Windows of the El Paso County Courthouse (now CSPM), and made for the Capture the Courthouse exhibit, Ginger Quinn Munoz 
“Stained Glass Iris” by Ginger Quinn Munoz
"Crocuses", Watercolor on Paper, Generously Donated by Mrs. F.A. Post, Alice Stewart Hill.
“Crocuses” by Alice Stewart Hill
Reflections, Watercolor on Paper, Generously Donated by the Estate of Valerie L. Powell, Watercolor landscape scene of trees and river.
“Reflections” by Anna Wise
Landscape painting of plains and sky.
“Spacious Skies Over Florissant, Colorado” by Emily Kline
Landscape painting of sunrise against mountains.
“Love Letter” by Sydni Griffin
High-definition print of tree branches and foliage.
“Early Autumn” by Jean Gumpper
Graphite pencil landscape drawing, featuring rolling hills and machinery.
“Deckers Old Bridge” by Zoe Davis
Mining Scene, 1954, Watercolor on Paper, Generously Donated in Memory of F. Jordan Bayless, Grace Landell Bartlett
“Mining Scene” by Grace Landell Bartlett
Twelve artist works, of various size, subject and media
Landscape watercolor of yellow and green plains, purple-pink mountains.
“Untitled” by Anne Gregory (Van Briggle) Ritter
Landscape of bold pine trees and a winding road, mountains in the background.
“Untitled” by E.B. Rosser
Watercolor landscape of purple-hued mountains and a gold prairie.
“Untitled” by Hazel Abbot 
Painting of two white-haired women, both seated, one fondly holding a tabby cat.
“Portrait of Mary Howbert and Helen Jackson” by Missye Bonds
Portrait of a young woman in a blue top, faded rose wallpaper behind her.
“Untitled” by Ida Lee
Portrait of a young woman, looking past the image orientation, composed of very light and washed-out hues.
“Violet” by Verna Jean Versa
Abstract of white and muddled blue/brown panels, divided by raised gold divisions.
“Alone” by Shannon Mello
Geometric, cubist landscape painting, featuring rolling mountainside and a winding path.
“Rocky Path” by Brie Varney 
An arrangement of abstract pencil portraits, with connective muted watercolors amongst the figures.
“Bits and Pieces” by Christine Flores 
Watercolor still life of a bowl of fruit, one piece displaced and sitting alongside the owl.
“Untitled” by Nancy G. Old
Watercolor landscape of green meadows and distant mountains.
“Cheyenne Mountain” by Margaret Hamp
Fragment of a Silk Garment, Generously Donated by Mrs. R.E. Anderson, Unknown Artist, Piece features a central bird against a clash of sea and sky.
“Fragment of a Silk Garment” by Unknown
Museum case; abstract rabbit sculpture (left), shadowbox floral crown (right).
Shadowbox with Hair Wreath, ca. 1840, Generously donated by Mrs. Harry Knight
“Shadowbox with Hair Wreath” by Mrs. Harry Knight
Mixed Media Sculptures, Michelle Bracewell.
“Turbo” by Michelle Bracewell
Nine artist works, of various size, subject and media.
Landscape painting with a field and forest in the foreground, mountains frame the background.
“Untitled” by Linda Crawford Quick
Portrait of a Jack Russell against a gold and blue background.
“Max” by Diane Kathleen (Parish) Vallejo
Painted tri-panel board. Central image features three women with vegetable figures; side panels describe the story of the Three Sisters.
“Three Sisters” by K8E Orr
Painted circular board, underwater ocean scene with rays of light breaking through the above wave.
“Glint” by Shannon Dunn 
Pastel Landscape of Garden of the Gods.
“Garden of the Gods with the Mountains in the Distance” by Susan Tormoen
Painted portrait in blue hues, model looking directly at the viewer with a sad expression.
“There’s Still Love in There Somewhere” by Sophia Rose Chadez 
Multimedia landscape of mountains, composed of paper and two-dimensional material.
“Outside Cimmaron” by Laura Weston 
Surrealist painting of a child resting in exotic foliage, against a background of deep night sky.
“I Watch Him Dream” by Lupita Carrasco
Painted portrait of a woman in a boat, with floral border painted into the foreground.
“Morning on the Sound” by Rosario Weston 
Summer Vacation Colorado, Acrylic on Board, ca. 1925, Gretchen McRae, Vibrant sign that states Summer Vacation Colorado, with mountain motif.
“Summer Vacation” by Gretchen McRae
Beaded Deer Hide Bag, 2021, Debra Box - Southern Ute Artist, Painter and Metalsmith.
“Beaded Deer Hide Bag” by Debra Box
Narissah Revealed, Mixed Media, Wendy Mike.
“Narissah Revealed” by Wendy Mike
A Few of My Favorite Things, Cookbook, 1992, Joyce Gilmer.
“A Few of My Favorite Things” by Joyce Gilmer
Seven artist works, of various size, subject and media
Quilted blanket, designed with interlocking, linking circles. White with earth tone design.
“Double Wedding Ring Quilt” by Mary Ross 
Portrait of a young women, sunny tones against a wall of white florals and foliage.
“Stella” by Helen Cogswell Trostel 
Painting of a two-story house, dotted with shrubbery and exterior trees.
“Untitled Painting of the Liller House 1968” by Eve Adams
Three dimensional, carved pieces, all painted with a worn green, featuring organic, abstract impressions.
“The Green Machine” by Carroll Dorrell Hightower
Portal, Pat Musick, Enameling on Copper, Wood, Mixed Media
“Portal” by Pat Musick
Abstract painting in mustard and black hues, of a spikey, fractured nature.
“Untitled Printing Block” by Mary Chenowith
"Untitled", Mountain Landscape, Oil on Linen on Board, Zola Zaugg
“Untitled” by Zola Zaugg
Wooden abstract totem sculpture.
Arts and Craft Totem by Jo Murto
“Arts and Craft Totem” by Jo Murto
Fifteen artist works, of various size, subject and media.
Watercolor landscape painting of trees in the foreground, purple-hued mountains to the background.
“Untitled” by Hazel Abbot
Painting of a woman’s figure; she is turned away, seated, and stretching.
“Untitled” by Heidi Brandt
Artistic composition of butterflies, mushrooms, and small florals/foliage.
“Untitled” by Eva Marie Schubart
Abstract, layered paper composition of mostly firey hues, interspersed dark fragments.
“Noctourn” by Lucille Damico
Abstract, layered paper composition of mostly cool tones, with gold and yellow throughout.
“Greens and Golds Streaming” by Barbara Diamond 
Woven wall hanging featuring a purple to yellow gradient, with hanging yellow tassel.
“Slump” by Jess Ritter
Painted cloth wall hanging, featuring female performers and horses.
“It’s a Show” by Jasmine Dillavou
Calla Lily Once, Purple II, Oil on Copper, Nichole Montanez
“Calla Lily Once, Purple II” by Nichole Montanez
Abstract mountain-scape in vibrant, rainbowed hues, strong use of line.
“A Walk Above Treeline” by Sarah Wright 
Abstract, overlapping organic shapes in yellow, mauve, burnt orange and pale peach.
“Neon Garden” by Jess Moran 
Self-portrait of the artists Jeresneyka Rose wearing a vibrant yellow blazer against gauzy yellow background.
“Illustrious” by Jeresneyka Rose
Mixed media piece of a manga page cutout, with pink-tinted ramen block applied atop.
“Oriental Flavor (Metallic Pink on Manga)” by Margaret Kasahara
Abstract portrait of a woman listening to her headphones, with deep overlay of foliage and foliage shadows, partially concealing her face.
“Alexandra” by Allison Daniell
Linocut of a rabbit, haloing sun, and crescent-moon inspired bowl.
“Empathy Hierarchy” by Riley Bratzler
Mixed media print, featuring a central photograph, with orange and pink partial photographs flanking.
“Imagine: You Are Safe Here” by Jessica Kranz
Two paintings.
Oil Painting of a forest scene
“Untitled” by Dorothy Babcock 
Eighteen artist works, of various size, subject and media.
Mixed media abstract in bright orange hues, with electric blue movement throughout.
“Heatwave” by Carol Dickerson
Painting of an outstretched arm, fixed in space by patterned beams radiating outward.
“Don’t Forget About Me” by Sklyar Sypher 
Abstract foliage scene, done mostly in earth tones, with tendrils of vibrant orange and blue throughout.
“Untitled” by Eva Marie Schubart
Painting of florals in a vase, against a muddled green background.
“Untitled” by Elizabeth Spauldng 
Color photograph of a winter scene with a herd of big horn sheep standing on a ridge in the Garden of the Gods.
“Majestic Bighorn Sheep at the Magical Garden of the Gods” by Carol L. McCallister
Group of four people, three facing forward including a young girl in a black and red checkered coat, with one person with their face obscured by a cowboy hat. There are snow-covered mountains in the background.
“Pearls of the West” by Rosario Weston 
Watercolor figure painting; the central figure stands at a sharp, acute angle against a rugged background.
“Lleu” by Claire Swinford
Painting of a group of people, seated together at a tea ceremony in a garden.
“Tea Ceremony in the Azalea Garden” by Kazuko Stern 
Our Favorite Place, Sophia Hanna, Oil on Board. "Our Favorite Place" was a rare non figurative oil painting for Sophia, where she wanted to memorialize a gallery dear to her heart. Unbeknownst to her, the gallery formerly known as Kreuser was under construction to merge with G44, and form the new Auric Gallery
“Our Favorite Place” by Sophia Hanna 
Portrait of a seated woman and lapdog underneath a tree.
“Portrait of Mrs. Henry C. Fursman” by Ida Lee
Textured weaving of a landscape scene, with central sandstone outcroppings.
“Pikes Peak with Garden Tapestry” by Susan Tormoen
Painted contemporary street scene of downtown Colorado Springs.
“City Lights” by Laura Reilly 
Painting of a faceless figure in front of a red and white striped curtain.
“Tent Revival” by Lindsay Hand 
Embroidery collage of different historic and culturally significant places (including the current home of the CSPM historic 1903 El Paso County Courthouse), products, and landmarks of the Pikes Peak region.
“Untitled” by Claudia Lee (Yates) Bernd
Embroidered foliage scene, in alternating earth tones.
“Autumn’s Statements” by Jeanette C. Ward 
Platinum Print photograph of Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde, CO
“The City of the Dead” by Laura Gilpin 
Watercolor neighborhood scene, with red houses and fencing in the foreground.
“Untitled” by Anne Gregory (Van Briggle) Ritter
Watercolor of a bowl of orange flowers, with text below stating; In Memory oof Alica Stewart Hill, whose mission it was to reveal the beauty of the Colorado flowers (unpainted before and unclassified) to the flower-loving world.
“Indian Paint Brushes” by Alice Stewart Hill 
Museum case; Face cast sculpture, woven textile mat, book open to a floral illustration (left to right).
Untitled, 2003, Fiiber Art, Created for the Capture the Courthouse exhibit inspired by the tile floors of the CSPM, Generously donated by Margaret Wilson, Margaret Wilson.
“Untitled” by Margaret Wilson
Pulling Myself Together, Mixed Media , Suzy Hunt Gardner, Sculpture of a figure’s face, with several disjointed plaster fragments haloing.
“Pulling Myself Together” by Suzy Hunt Gardner
Wildflowers of Colorado, 1880, Alice Stewart Hill, Hardcover book, open to an image of orange florals.
“Wildflowers of Colorado” by Alice Stewart Hill
Museum case; Vintage florals in shadowbox, ceramic bowl, silver cuff (left to right).
Shadowbox with a Floral Design Made of Seashells and Seaweed, ca. 1895, Generously Donated by Mrs. Tor Hylbom, Unknown Artist
“Shadowbox with a Floral Design Made of Seashells and Seaweed” by Unknown Artist
Untitled, Ceramic Bowl, Anne Westbrook
“Untitled” by Anne Westbrook
Burtis Blue Turquoise Bracelet, Karen Box Anderson, Oval Turquoise stone with silver cuff.
“Burtis Blue Turquoise Bracelet ” by Karen Box Anderson
Museum case; Fabric scrap book, woolen mittens, sculpture of a mother and child, woolen hat (left to right).
Hand Knit Baby Bonnet with Blue Ribbon, Belonged to Emily Lawton, 1870-1900, Generously Donated by Helen Gilmore, Unknown.
“Hand Knit Baby Bonnet” with Blue Ribbon by Unknown
Pair of Hand Hooked Mittens, 1858, Worn by Mrs. B. F. Webster when she was two years old, Generously Donated by Mrs. B. F. Webster, Grandmother of Mrs. B. F. Webster
“Pair of Hand Hooked Mittens” by Grandmother of Mrs. B. F. Webster
Moments Journal , Mixed Media, Honey Lea Gaydos.
“Moments Journal” by Honey Lea Gaydos
Statue of a woman holding child.
“Mother and Child” by Alice Ann Ochs (1930-2023)
Six artist works, of various size, subject and media.
Portrait of Katherine F. Adams, Anne Parrish, 1888, Oil on Canvas
“Portrait of Katherine F. Adams” by Anne Parrish
Cripple Creek Mines, ca. 1940, Generously Donated by Earle and Evelyn Gardner, Ernestine Parsons 
“Cripple Creek Mines” by Ernestine Parsons 
Portrait of founder of Colorado Springs William Jackson Palmer in varying green hues.
“General Palmer” by Jess Preble 
Pikes Peak North View, Ramona Lapsley, Linocut
“Pikes Peak North View” by Ramona Lapsley 
Strong, linear, angular painting of Garden of the Gods, lower forest and clouds filtering light.
“Glorius Garden of Light” by Sushe Felix 
Portrait of Queen Palmer against a muddled green background.
“Motherling” by Lindsay Hand
Sixteen artist works, of various subject, size and composition.
Landscape painting of a distant waterfall, with a mountain faintly in the background.
“Mount of the Holy Cross” by Helen Chain 
Painted landscape scene of sheep grazing peacefully in a field.
“Untitled” Charlotte Leaming
Landscape painting of a winding river through forest, with rolling mountains in the background.
“Mountains and Trees” by Marion DeNoya
Woodcut of an industrial scene, rolling hills and looming buildings.
“Gold Mine” by Grace Landell Bartlett
Abstract ink painting deep hues, with interspersed gold tone throughout. Artist stamp in the lower left corner.
“Purple Mountain Majesty II” by Kang Lee Sheppard 
Painting of a rail yard in winter, with distant mountains in the background.
“Snowy Day Power Plant” by Kay Jeansonne
Layered paper and painting of a surrealistic scene; female figures with animal heads, bedecked s royalty, and ethereal forests framing.
“Ursine Cycles” by Darla Slee 
Portrait painting of an androgynous figure.
“Untitled Boy” by Sofia Hernandez Crade 
Painting of an overflowing laundry basket shaped as a Christmas tree with lights circling around it and a shining star on top.
“Everyday Holiday” by Lupita Carrasco
Abstract, moody painting in pale to deep blue hues, with fragmented gold throughout.
“Earth and Sky” by Lori DiPasquale 
Dark, shadowed photograph of a partially visible flower.
“Dahlia” by Angela Crews 
Photograph of a woman peacefully lying in a lake at dusk or dawn, partially lit and scattered sparkling.
“Stardust” by Marisa S. White 
Vibrant photograph of a woman in bedclothes pulling a dollhouse in wagon, peering through binoculars, flanked by picket fencing.
“Neighborhood Watch” by Heather Oelklaus 
Color photograph of trees in North Cheyenne Canon in winter, with heavy pine forestry throughout.
“Crystallized Trees” by Melani Tutt
Painting of a horse and rider, with shadowed riders and horses framing the background.
“Take to the Wind” by Unknown
Landscape painting of trees and grasses, with a lake and rolling hills visible in the background.
“On Water’s Edge” by Deb Komitor
Above, painting of pioneer family gathered in front of an oversized tent; Below, museum case of collections objects.
"Ludlow — Miners' Camp", 2014, Oil on Canvas, Generously Donated by Lindsay Hand, Lindsay Hand.
“Ludlow-Miners’ Camp” by Lindsay Hand
Museum case of collections items; Lace collar, homemade postcard, angel figurine, shadowbox floral pressing, lace strap, ceramic rabbit, and artist sketchbook (left to right).
Skeletal Leaves Shadowbox, Generously Donated by Jessie Aiken, Unknown Artist 
“Skeletal Leaves Shadowbox” by Unknown Artist
Van Briggle Rabbit, ca. 1925, Generously Donated by Clarence Jones, Emma Kinkead
“Van Briggle Rabbit” by Emma Kinkead
Linen Belt With Hand-stitched Lace and Designs, ca. 1885, Generously Donated by Florentina Staub, Unknown Artist.
“Linen Belt With Hand-stitched Lace and Designs” by Unknown Artist
Abbie, Simpich Cloud Baby Christmas Ornament, Generously Donated by Betty Waldron, Unknown Artist/Creator but Original Design by Jan Simpich.
“Abbie, Simpich Cloud Baby Christmas Ornament” by Unknown Artist
Handmade Lace Collar, Owned by Agnes Louellen Andres Bartlett, a coloratura soprano who sang at the Colorado Springs Opera House, Generously Donated by Gretchen Arnold, Unknown Artist.
“Handmade Lace Collar” by Unknown Artist
Artist's Sketchbook, 1960, Laura Bunnell
“Artist’s Sketchbook” by Laura Bunnell
Handmade Postcard, Sent to JoAnn & John Orsborn, 1995, Mary Chenowith
“Handmade Postcard” by Mary Chenowith

Generously Sponsored by:

ANN Family Foundation
Auric Gallery Logo
Bee Vradenburg Foundation Logo with a bee buzzing away.
Bloom Foundation Logo with a bird sitting on top of the o.
Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region logo
The Clocktower Society
Purple Mountain Group at Morgan Stanley logo.
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