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The Way Sisters: Miniaturists of the Early Republic

October 30, 2021 – January 23, 2022

Telling a story of struggle, innovation, and accomplishment, The Way Sisters explores the art of portrait miniatures and the role of portraiture in the years following the American Revolution, focusing on two remarkable, understudied women artists and their sitters.

Mary Way (1769–1833) and Elizabeth (Betsey) Way Champlain (1771–1825), pioneering sisters from New London, Connecticut adapted their schoolgirl training to create collaged and painted portraits that pushed the boundaries of miniatures as an artform, while also expanding gender roles for women. This exhibition traces what is known of the sisters’ artistic production, celebrating their stylistic and material innovations. It also examines the identities of their sitters, exploring New London’s history in the decades following the American Revolutionary War.

Among the earliest independent women artists working in the United States, the Way sisters made important and lasting contributions to the art and history of Connecticut and the young nation. Their work deepens our understanding of early American art, with objects and stories from the past that equally resonate with issues of the present.

Organized by the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, this is the first museum exhibition to focus on the work of the Way sisters, with new scholarship and many objects that have never been exhibited to the public.

Top image: A Lady Holding a Bouquet, ca. 1790–1800, Attributed to Mary Way or Elizabeth Way Champlain . Watercolor and ink on cut paper and paper appliqués, applied to fabric. Sight 12 x 8 inches. Private Collection. Bottom Image: Portrait of a Girl, called Theodosia Burr Alston (1783–1813), ca. 1790s. Attributed to Elizabeth Way Champlain or Mary Way. Watercolor and graphite on paper with silk and lace applique, applied to silk, sight 4 x 3 inches. Private collection.

Exhibition Catalogue
An accompanying catalogue, written by exhibition curator Dr. Tanya Pohrt, includes contributions by Museum Director Sam Quigley, Catherine E. Kelly, Ph.D., Brian Ehrlich, M.D., and Elle Shushan. It is published by the Lyman Allyn Art Museum.

To purchase a copy of the catalogue, please visit the Museum Shop in person or call 860.443.2545 ext. 2129 to purchase by phone.

Virtual Lecture
Held on January 11, 2022

Exhibition Support
Support for this exhibition and its catalogue were generously provided by:
       
The Paul Foundation, Essex, Connecticut
Brian Ehrlich, M.D.
Nathan Liverant & Son, LLC.
Frederick & Susan Copeland
Elle Shushan
The American Antiquarian Society
The Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts
& an anonymous foundation

Filed Under: Past Exhibitions

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Monday: CLOSED
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We are located just off I-95. Take Exit 83 and follow the cultural attraction signs.

Calendar

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27
28
1
2
6:30 PM - Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
3
4
11:00 AM - Free First Saturday
5
6
7
8
6:00 PM - Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London
9
5:30 PM - Considering Circumstance: Children, Homes and Social Inequality
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11:00 AM - Science Saturday
19
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21
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7:00 PM - Open Mic: Hosted by New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd, Josh Brown
24
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6:00 PM - Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut
30
3:00 PM - What is Art? Understanding Abstraction
31
1
11:00 AM - Free First Saturday
2
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
Thursday, March 2, 2023    
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
  • Special Event
Grab your friends and join us for drinks and art-making on the first Thursday of every month! Tickets include two drinks, light bites, and creative [...]
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Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
Saturday, March 4, 2023    
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Museum
  • Children's Programs
  • Special Event
Join us in the art studio from 11 am - 1 pm and create your own Proverb Painting! Join us for landscape painting connected to [...]
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Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London
Wednesday, March 8, 2023    
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
  • Lecture
  • Special Event
Registration after 3/2: $15 Members / $20 Non-members The Lyman Allyn Art Museum will host Thames River Heritage Park’s winter lecture series, “Stories from the [...]
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Considering Circumstance: Children, Homes and Social Inequality
Considering Circumstance: Children, Homes and Social Inequality
Thursday, March 9, 2023    
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
  • Lecture
  • Special Event
Join Behavioral Sciences Professor Nancy Parent for a special discussion of the photographs in Where Children Sleep. Afterwards, participants will have the opportunity to view [...]
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Science Saturday
Science Saturday
Saturday, March 18, 2023    
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Museum
  • Children's Programs
  • Special Event
This fun drop-in program, designed for children ages 7-11, encourages participants to explore the intersections between art and science. March 18: In my perspective… Learn about [...]
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Open Mic: Hosted by New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd, Josh Brown
Open Mic: Hosted by New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd, Josh Brown
Thursday, March 23, 2023    
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
  • Special Event
Join us for a special Open Mic night! This program is hosted by New London Poet Laureate Josh Brown, known as AnUrbanNerd, and will feature [...]
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Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut
Wednesday, March 29, 2023    
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
  • Lecture
  • Special Event
Registration after 3/23: $15 Members / $20 Non-members The Lyman Allyn Art Museum will host Thames River Heritage Park’s winter lecture series, “Stories from the [...]
More Info
What is Art? Understanding Abstraction
What is Art? Understanding Abstraction
Thursday, March 30, 2023    
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
  • Lecture
  • Special Event
Join Julia Pavone for a discussion on the building blocks of abstract art and how she applies these ideas in her works. RSVP to 860.443.2545 ext. [...]
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Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
Saturday, April 1, 2023    
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Museum
  • Children's Programs
  • Special Event
Join us in the art studio from 11 am - 1 pm and create your own April Fools Surprise Card! Celebrate April Fool’s Day by [...]
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Events on Thursday, March 2, 2023
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - March
2 Mar 23
New London
Events on Saturday, March 4, 2023
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
4 Mar 23
New London
Events on Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London
8 Mar 23
New London
Events on Thursday, March 9, 2023
Considering Circumstance: Children, Homes and Social Inequality
Considering Circumstance: Children, Homes and Social Inequality
9 Mar 23
New London
Events on Saturday, March 18, 2023
Science Saturday
Science Saturday
18 Mar 23
New London
Events on Thursday, March 23, 2023
Open Mic: Hosted by New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd, Josh Brown
Open Mic: Hosted by New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd, Josh Brown
23 Mar 23
New London
Events on Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut
29 Mar 23
New London
Events on Thursday, March 30, 2023
What is Art? Understanding Abstraction
What is Art? Understanding Abstraction
30 Mar 23
New London
Events on Saturday, April 1, 2023
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
1 Apr 23
New London

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Lyman Allyn Art Museum
625 Williams Street
New London, CT 06320 USA
Tel: 860.443.2545
info@lymanallyn.org

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