Lifted as We Climb

Central New York (CNY) Branch Pen Women shared in the immersive experience of Pen Woman Vanessa Johnson’s mixed media fiber art exhibition staged at the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center in Fayetteville, New York on Saturday, April 18^th, 2026.

Johnson’s show, “Lifting As We Climb,” is an expansive tribute to the hard-fought battles and sacrifices of women of color who contributed to women’s access to voting, combined with the attention they brought to gender and racial barriers in all areas of American life. The art and language experience brought together griot Johnson’s quilting, fiber art, and research to enlighten the Gage Center’s visitors. Johnson honored the stories of, “often forgotten Black, Latina, Indigenous, and Asian women of the past and present who have played a pivotal role in lifting up all women in America.” There are 50 women of color featured in this remarkable exhibition. In addition to her work as an artist, Johnson is celebrated for her work as a writer, playwright, actor, fiber artist, museum consultant, teaching artist, actor, and museum consultant.

“Still learning and discovered so much today though Vanessa’s incredible art,” said Nancy Dafoe, one from the group of CNY Pen Women to recently tour the exhibition at the Gage Center.

Just as relevant today, the fiber art exhibition highlighted and drew attention to today’s political efforts to gerrymander, restricting the right to vote through the S.A.F.E. Act, limit polling booths and polling hours in marginalized neighborhoods, as well as highlight the growing movement within the Republican Party to repeal the 19^th Amendment.

The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, which oversees the Gage Center, is dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of Matilda Joslyn Gage, whose social justice contributions have been systematically erased, and uplifting marginalized voices throughout history. 

Vanessa Johnson has received an artist in residence grant from the Foundation.