Clara Ueland – Persistence Exhibit
Clara H. Ueland (1869-1927) was president of the Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association from 1914 until 1920. The MWSA became the Minnesota League of Women Voters. Her leadership, organizational skills, and persistence gave the Minnesota suffrage movement the direction it needed to succeed.
She worked as a teacher before she married Andreas Ueland, a prominent Minneapolis lawyer and probate judge. She remained interested in education throughout her life. In the 1890s, she worked with the Kindergarten Association to establish free kindergartens in Minneapolis.
Her activities made Ueland a well-known and respected clubwoman. She was used to meeting with officials and speaking to groups. She had worked and met with many of the society women she would later lead in the suffrage movement.
When the national suffrage convention was held in Minneapolis in 1901, her daughters played a pivotal role in educating her and pushing her to become active in the fight for woman suffrage. In 1913, Ueland started the Equal Suffrage Organization of Minneapolis. A year later, she was elected president of the Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association. She became the face of women’s suffrage in Minnesota.
Artist: Hilary Woods
Stained Glass
About the Artist – Hilary Woods
I was drawn to stained glass at a very young age. Growing up in an artistic family gave me a life-long appreciation of art. I use stained glass as an outlet for creativity and the glass often as inspiration, it’s ever-changing; it’s kinetic. The light and color changes depending on the surroundings and gives measureless ways to connect with each piece.
Stained glass is about light and color and the feelings they evoke. I add a modern touch to a centuries-old art form to make it my own through custom patterns and thoughtful use of color and texture.
Stained glass is a huge passion of mine I love pushing my art with custom patterns, intricate and modern designs; it inspires me on a daily basis. Creating contemporary portraits in glass which brings out the personality of each subject is especially exciting to me. For this exhibit, I hope to portray Clara in a unique way that will draw audiences in to learn more about this visionary woman’s life and how she helped shape the history of Minnesota.
A 2018 City Pages article about Clara Ueland written by Hannah Jones, stood out to me and left me wanting to learn more; “Minneapolis suffragist Clara Ueland was more badass than you, probably”.
Clara Ueland WAS a badass; a Pioneer in many ways. She fought for equality, equal rights, women’s and children’s rights and envisioned a time in which a woman could be president; she was a true visionary. Clara turned the suffrage movement in Minnesota around, she righted the boat and steered us to victory. The work of Clara and the rest of the suffragists of her time is celebrated but never ending.
As an artist, I will bring Clara’s contributions to life using a non-typical medium to portray this extraordinary woman from our history. Using the Tiffany-style of stained glass, I will create a stylized portrait that will evoke emotions and build a personal connection to her.