Women in the Arts Festival Herstory

A message from the board:

Originally known as Circe Productions, many women have shared a common goal envisioned by founders Susan Gold, Deni Kali, and Sheila Keane, with Terry Grant as a valuable advisor. Their 1986 mission statement read: “to promote and give visibility to women in the arts, both visual and performing arts; to facilitate the training of women in the technical aspects of performance production; and to promote an international network of women’s culture.”

Circe (Greek for Falcon), matron and protector of music and the arts on the enchanted island of Aeaea, seemed a fitting name for this production company about to take flight.  It produced many events, but the one that has lasted for four decades is the WITA Festival. Today, it offers an amazing, eclectic Artists’ Market; talented and diverse performers; a partnership with the Ten Pound Fiddle; and, of course, Sistrum Café which, for almost four decades, has served festival attendees with delicious homemade food!

The WITA Festival was motivated by the desire to help promote visual and performing women artists. Many of the women involved with Circe had artists in their personal lives as lovers, friends and family. Deni Kali said they “saw firsthand that poets, writers, comedians, painters, weavers, jewelers and other non-music artisans did not have the opportunity to share their work on any regular basis.” The festival gave all women artists an opportunity to share their collective spirit, while helping to support their work financially.

We remain forever thankful to the original women visionaries who began a women-focused showcase for women artists who, otherwise, had no opportunity to share their creations. And we are grateful to the women who kept the WITA Festival alive and growing for 40 years.

It is to the countless women who have volunteered their time and talents that the 2025 WITA Board would like to say “thank you for keeping the vision and integrity of the festival alive so that we, as women, can gather each year to enjoy community through art and music.”

We are honored and blessed to continue this sacred mission. We welcome you to join us.

We know in these times, as in the times Circe began, the role of artists will be what saves us, and provides the foundation for us to move forward.

Of course, none of this would be possible without all the WITA devotees who have attended the festival each year. Your sustained support and generosity have been key to WITA’s success. Cheers to another 40 years of women’s art and community!

Since 1975, over 200 performers have graced the Women in the Arts Stage.

Click here to see our working list! Please let us know if you can fill in our gaps.

In the meantime, check out the growing photo gallery below, as well as more photos from previous years here.