It’s no secret that certain careers and industries have been historically viewed as more masculine or feminine; jobs like teaching and nursing have, for many years, had much higher rates of female workers, when compared to STEM fields, manual labor jobs and more, which have higher rates of male workers.
Historically speaking, these gender gaps in employment stem from a number of sources, including but not limited to access to education, social stigmas combined with societal pressure, a lack of representation within certain industries, and going even further back, laws that banned women from holding certain positions or degrees.
This year, Cascade Business News explored the world of art here in Bend, and the professional women who run the scene. Those women are Rita Dunlavy, owner of the Red Chair Gallery in Downtown Bend, and Susan Luckey Higdon, owner of Tumalo Art Co. Both women have experience in both the business world and the art world, and bring years of experience to both.
Luckey Higdon found herself looking to found a gallery because she was an artist who needed a permanent place to display her work. With a background in graphic design and art directing at advertising and publishing firms, she has years’ worth of organizational, business and marketing skills that are very useful in managing a gallery and other artists.
Dunlavy spent her professional life until retirement at age 55 in the world of accounting, working everywhere from leading national firms to the smaller firms she helped partner. She spent ten years after retirement keeping busy with tax season and small management projects, but eventually wanted to try something else. Dunlavy found her skill and joy in working with tile, at first on home projects but eventually moving up to artwork like mosaics. Through her art, Dunlavy met the other artists who would found the Red Chair Gallery, but eventually, Dunlavy’s focus on the business side (and the other artists’ focusing on their art) left her as the sole owner.
In general, the art world is a more accepting one. It’s an industry where differences and quirks are celebrated more often than condemned as “unprofessional.” As a result, it might not be surprising to learn that both Dunlavy and Luckey Higdon see the art world as a relatively equal one.
“In the art world, though men always seem to have a bit of a lead, it seems to me that women are powerful and respected,” said Luckey Higdon. “Of any field, the art world seems to be one where gender identities are easily accepted.”
Luckey Higdon continued, saying, “Besides the business side of a gallery, the most important part is being able to sell art. That is about engaging customers to stay and become involved with the art. Generally women seem to be quite good at talking to folks. It’s about noticing what people are drawn to and getting them to open up to the possibilities. Then it’s also about directing the discussion towards an action — like taking the art home.”
On a similar point, Dunlavy said, “There seems to be more women in the smaller galleries, but there also seems to be more male musicians. I don’t think that the creative part of your brain knows the difference. Just because you may see more women or men in the public part of a creative field, doesn’t mean you can see what’s behind the scenes.”
Dunlavy, having a background in accounting, recalls what it was like to work in a field that is much more male dominated. She says it was difficult for a woman to move forward in it, and while things have improved over the years, she says that the glass ceiling is still there.
To contrast, Dunlavy says the art world is much different, “We have several men in the gallery and they are just fellow artists to all of us. There is such a feeling of acceptance when you meet an artist, the thought of gender just isn’t as present. The artists are each a work of art all by themselves, gender neutral.”
When it comes to facing sexism or misogyny in their industry, both women are fortunate to report that the world of art, and their own careers in art, are mostly unaffected by it.
Being asked about their favorite accomplishments, both women look back on their careers fondly. Luckey Higdon said, “I am very proud of being part of a functioning group of dedicated artists who have continued to support and encourage each other through thick and thin for 20 years,” and added that contributing to the culture of her community is priceless. Dunlavy spoke about being the sum total of all of her work, and all of her years of experience being rolled into one being.
“I am the type of person that believes you are the sum total of everything you have ever been, and you should be proud of all of your work,” she said.
When it comes to challenges in their professional lives, they mostly revolve around utilizing technology, keeping up with the modern art world and of course, the financial side of running a business, which any business owner can attest to the difficulty of.
“I would say the most challenging for me is staying ahead of technology, using social media effectively, and continuing to find ways to make art an important part of people’s lives,” Luckey Higdon said.
On the same point, Dunlavy said, “It is always hard to plan ahead with hopes that your lease will hold when time to renew. It is a special problem for small businesses and unfortunately the only way to insure you will be able to exercise that next option is to increase your profit, marketing and savings. In the world of art, that is a process that requires the attention of all artists, or the artists having enough faith in the owner to help the process along.”
For young people wanting to explore the professional world of art, Dunlavy and Luckey Higdon have some advice. Luckey Higdon recommends focusing on your skill and craft, “Be humble and learn from the ones who’ve been there and realize it takes a long time to achieve mastery in whatever you do,” she said. “Technology is a big part of business now, and even artists need to be on top of that, so don’t neglect that in your arts education.”
On the same topic, Dunlavy said, “Put your egos in your back pocket, throw some paint on canvas and express yourself in art. I think the need to compete has to be thrown out. Just create what is in your heart and don’t rush it. Understand that you have time and your path will likely not be a linear one.”
Dunlavy left us with one point that should not be neglected, stating that there is a different time of prejudice that affects women in her industry more than misogyny.
“Even more than sexism and misogyny is ageism. Older women (and men) are passed over because of the stigma of ‘what if they get sick or fall or die on the job?’ Let me just say that the younger generation will get sick, have to take care of their kids or have a better opportunity somewhere else. Pretty much the same issues, minus the wrinkles.”
Continuing, she said, “I know there is more to it than that but an older person, unless they are cognitively declining, has more wisdom and generally costs less money. They want a job to work their brain, save for a vacation or pay their bills, and they know that to stay alive they need to feel like they have a purpose and not just to make it to the next golf game or to babysit their grandchildren.”
On a final note, both women agree that, regardless of gender, a young artist or business owner needs to treat others with respect, and be willing to work hard and achieve that extra mile.
