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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

Exhibitions

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HOURS & ADMISSION

Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 am — 5 pm
Sunday: 1 — 5 pm
Last admission at 4 pm

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

Calendar

Today
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
6:00 PM - Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
5
6
7
11:00 AM - Free First Saturday
8
9
10
6:00 PM - Exhibition Discussion: The Circle Game at the Mystic Noank Library
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
5:30 PM - Chromatopia Gallery Talk
19
20
21
11:00 AM - Science Saturday
22
23
24
25
6:00 PM - Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road
26
27
2:00 PM - Alexandra Stoddard Exhibition Opening
28
29
30
31
1
2
6:30 PM - Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - February
3
4
11:00 AM - Free First Saturday
1:00 PM - Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad
5
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
Wednesday, January 4, 2023    
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
  • Lecture
  • Special Event
Registration after 12/29: $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
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
Saturday, January 7, 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 Print of an Egyptian Symbol! While you're here, explore [...]
More Info
Exhibition Discussion: The Circle Game at the Mystic Noank Library
Exhibition Discussion: The Circle Game at the Mystic Noank Library
Tuesday, January 10, 2023    
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Lecture
Join the Lyman Allyn Art Museum at the Mystic Noank Library for a lecture on the new exhibition, The Circle Game, on display at the [...]
More Info
Chromatopia Gallery Talk
Chromatopia Gallery Talk
Wednesday, January 18, 2023    
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
  • Lecture
  • Special Event
Color is all around us, but what do we really know about it? Join Director of Exhibitions Jane LeGrow for an engaging look at how [...]
More Info
Science Saturday
Science Saturday
Saturday, January 21, 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. January 21: Beautiful Banjos TWANG! Learn about [...]
More Info
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road
Wednesday, January 25, 2023    
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
  • Lecture
  • Special Event
Registration after 1/19: $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
Alexandra Stoddard Exhibition Opening
Alexandra Stoddard Exhibition Opening
Friday, January 27, 2023    
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Exhibition Opening
  • Special Event
Join us in celebrating the opening of Alexandra Stoddard: A Colorful Life. See this pop-up exhibition, meet Alexandra Stoddard, and enjoy coffee, tea, and light [...]
More Info
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - February
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - February
Thursday, February 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 [...]
More Info
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
Saturday, February 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 portrait of our "Heroes in History"! Celebrate Black History [...]
More Info
Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad
Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad
Saturday, February 4, 2023    
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Museum
  • Children's Programs
  • Special Event
Presented by Adwoa Bandele-Asante Join us for an interesting and interactive afternoon of learning with a live performance of Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad [...]
More Info
Events on Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
4 Jan 23
New London
Events on Saturday, January 7, 2023
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
7 Jan 23
New London
Events on Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Exhibition Discussion: The Circle Game at the Mystic Noank Library
Exhibition Discussion: The Circle Game at the Mystic Noank Library
10 Jan 23
Events on Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Chromatopia Gallery Talk
Chromatopia Gallery Talk
18 Jan 23
New London
Events on Saturday, January 21, 2023
Science Saturday
Science Saturday
21 Jan 23
New London
Events on Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road
25 Jan 23
New London
Events on Friday, January 27, 2023
Alexandra Stoddard Exhibition Opening
Alexandra Stoddard Exhibition Opening
27 Jan 23
Events on Thursday, February 2, 2023
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - February
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - February
2 Feb 23
New London
Events on Saturday, February 4, 2023
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
4 Feb 23
New London
Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad
Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad
4 Feb 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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