Women Artists Action Group facts for kids

The Women Artists Action Group (WAAG) was a special group of women artists in Ireland. They wanted to help more people see and appreciate art made by women. This group was active from 1987 to 1991.

The Story of WAAG

How WAAG Started

The Women Artists Action Group (WAAG) began in 1987. It was started by three artists: Pauline Cummins, Breeda Mooney, and Louise Walsh. Pauline Cummins was the first leader of the group.

There was also a similar group in Northern Ireland called NIWAAG. Both groups were formed because many people felt that women artists were not shown enough in art exhibitions in Ireland. They also reacted to a big exhibition and book from 1987. This event was called "Irish Women Artists from the Eighteenth Century to the Present Day." It was held at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Exhibitions and Events

WAAG held its first art show at the Project Arts Centre in 1987. More than 90 women artists, including Anne Madden, showed their work there. The exhibition featured over 100 slides of artwork. These slides later became a special collection kept by WAAG.

Their second exhibition took place in 1988. It was held at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. This place later became the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Many student artists from the National College of Art and Design showed their art at this exhibition.

WAAG wanted to connect with women artists all over the world. Breeda Mooney, who was a leader of WAAG, was chosen to join the International Association of Women in the Arts. This happened when Dublin was the European City of Culture in 1991. As part of the celebrations, 11 women artists from Europe created art along the River Liffey. Their art was about "Women Artists and the Environment." Dublin also hosted a visit from the Guerrilla Girls, another famous art group.

While WAAG was active, from 1987 to 1991, they also organized many conferences. These events took place in different parts of Ireland.

WAAG's Legacy

The records and materials from WAAG and NIWAAG are now kept safe. They were given to the NIVAL: National Irish Visual Arts Library. WAAG's materials were donated in 2019, and NIWAAG's in 2024. Anyone can visit NIVAL to research and learn about these groups.

People in WAAG

Committee Members

These artists helped lead the WAAG group:

• Pauline Cummins (Chair)
• Patricia Hurl
• Patricia McKenna
• Marie Hanlon
• Breeda Mooney (Treasurer)

Other Notable Artists

Many talented artists were part of WAAG. Here are some of them:

• Pauline Cummins
• Marie Hanlon
• Ann Marie Keaveney
• Alice Maher
• Jane Maxwell
• Jane McCormack
• Breeda Mooney
• Geraldine O'Reilly
• Kathy Prendergast
• Louise Walsh