Celebrating the life of Ruth Putter

June 1, 2014 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Ruth C. Putter, 95, died on April 8, 2014 after a brief illness.

The ArtRage Gallery will partner with the Gage Foundation
for a celebration of Ruth’s remarkable life at 2pm on June 1st
at the ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Avenue in Syracuse.

We hope you will attend.

Ruth was a talented artist, committed social justice activist, and feminist. Much of her body of work documents more than 70 years of peace and social justice movements, civil rights, and feminism. ArtRage will have her work on exhibition for this celebration.


Her photographs have been published in national photography and feminist publications and calendars including the Syracuse Cultural Workers’ Peace Calendar, and on the occasion of the “Bloody Nuns” anti-war protest of General Alexander Haig’s Commencement Speech at Syracuse University in 1981, in newspapers around the world.

She co-authored a book of photographs and writings on the Women’s Peace Encampment at Romulus, NY, entitled “The Women’s Encampment for a Future of Peace and Justice” (Temple University Press). Her exhibits include those at the Everson Museum, Lightwork, ArtRage Gallery, and many more local and national galleries.

After the death of her husband, Norton Putter, Ruth generously offered to fund the creation of ArtRage: The Norton Putter Gallery, as a memorial to honor his many years of tireless work for social justice, civil rights, and arts and culture. The gallery proudly carries on the tradition of resistance in both their names.

Ruth was also instrumental in the restoration of the Matilda Joslyn Gage House in Fayetteville, as a living museum about the life of this remarkable contemporary of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, and mother-in-law to Frank Baum. The Ruth C. Putter Welcome Center addition to the house serves as the museum’s entrance.