Mission Statement
The Haggus Society is a group caterig to creative feminsists over the age of 40 who share a vision of empowering Woman's position in the arts and society via the support of cultural acts and practices as well as direct action.
The Haggus Society recognizes that many creative women over the age of 40 are under-served in the arts and society at large. Yet, many women are re-igniting their careers and are under-served in this regard. We have become invisible regardless of our exceptional talent. The Haggus Society endeavors to provide support and programming for these women.
The Haggus Society strives to redefine the conventional terminology of emerging, mid-career and late-career artist as classifications and barriers to accessing support.
The Haggus Society is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of The Haggus Society must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Description
The Haggus Society is a collaborative effort by artists Terri Lloyd and Monica Marsh. Both of whom experience daily the criteria defining Hag.
During a conversation in the Fall of 2010, they came to the realization that not only are older women ignored by society, but more specifically in the arts.
They explored the issues that postpone or delay a woman's career in the arts; age in a youth oriented society; and the idea that art created by women must be "safe" or fit a hygenic mold of what is perceived to be feminine; and a lack of funding from institutions for the older artist.
Both women acknowledged that if they were going to pursue art as a career, that they were going to have to do it themselves and with other like minded female artists. So in October of 2010, they declared The Haggus Society a living breathing entity. And, as it turns out, the need for something women with edges and curves to call their own was real.
"We wanted something that wasn't going to get lost in the sea of other art collectives. We couldn't find support for women like us- multifaceted older women who play hard, and work hard. Women who are activists, thinkers, risk takers- who "get it" and what we are about. We wanted to connect with women whose attitude toward their creative endeavors was one that pushed the envelope, that didn't conform to polite society or social norms. We wanted a place that wasn't necessarily for well behaved women. But it had to be a place that was safe when and where it needed to be safe, especially when exploring dangerous ideas or pushing creative boundaries. We knew if we didn't make it happen, it wouldn't come into existence."
The name "Haggus" is a marriage of metaphors and pun. Initially stemming from the word Hag and the more visceral imagery of the Scottish dish of viscera or offal and oatmeal of haggis. All puns auditory and metaphorically are indeed intended. Let it be said about Hags, if nothing else, we have a great sense of humor!
The Haggus Society is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of The Haggus Society must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
