The AAUW Utah Women Artists Exhibition originated in 1981 with a show that traveled by van to a series of exhibition sites throughout Utah. The Best of Show Award originated in 1997 at a time when the show had grown considerably in size and stature from its beginnings the decade before.

Genevieve Lawrence (1909-1996) was a Founder and Co-Creator of the Art Show as an AAUW Cultural Arts project in 1981. Lawrence was an active member of AAUW, and herself an artist, seeking to provide quality display space and recognition for our community of Utah women artists. Lawrence was a member of the State Fair Board of Arts and Music and owner of LuGen Art Galleries in Provo. This Award originated in 1982 and is for Best Fine Art.

Helen W. Allen (1917-1982) was a Founder and Co-Creator of the Art Show as an AAUW Cultural Arts project in 1981. Allen was an active member of AAUW, and herself an artist, seeking to provide quality display space and recognition for our community of Utah women artists.This Award originated in 1982 and is for Best Traditional Art.

This Award originated in 2002 for artwork that addresses the AAUW mission and purpose, "Empowering Women," as well as the current Art Show theme in a considerable way. Our 2024 Art Show theme is "Celebrating Women Bold and Beautiful."

The Juror's Choice Award originated in 1997 at a time when the Art Show had grown considerably in size and stature from its beginnings the decade before. Tradition now holds that the Exhibition is adjudicated by an objective individual residing outside of the State of Utah, who is seasoned and knowledgeable as an art educator, collector, artist, curator, or other appropriately designated Juror/Judge to preside over the Art Call and Exhibition.

This Award is sponsored by AAUW of Utah Past Presidents. The Award originated in 1997 and honors best work by a Mature Amateur Artist.

This Award is sponsored by sisters Marilyn Shearer and Paula Oehmich, in honor of their mother, Dorothy Oehmich (1909-1997) who was a notable landscape artist. This Award originated in 2018 and honors the best entry for landscape art.

Marilyn Shearer (1936-   ) is an active member of AAUW who has served in many State and Branch leadership roles, has Chaired the Utah Women Artists Exhibition for many years, and is an avid Photographer. This Award is for Best Photography and originates in 2024.

Ruth E. Turner (1922-1990) served as President of the Kaysville Branch of AAUW. This Award originated in 1997 and honors the best entry in watercolor depicting the beauty of nature.

Florence E. Ware (1891-1972) was an artist and art educator at the University of Utah and is well known for her large murals at Kingsbury Hall on the U of U campus. Florence was particularly intrigued by principles of color and natural and reflected light. This Award originated in 1985.

Beatrice Carroll (1903-1997) was a popular educator and speaker on social behavior, women's issues and travel. She served on The National Board of Women Deans and Counselors, an arm of The National Education Association. She was an active member of AAUW of Utah and served on The National Board of AAUW. This Award originated in 1985 and has subsequently been renamed to also honor the title of her 1991 novel "Maybe Tomorrow."

Katherine Louise Howe Roberts (1919-2009) was a talented artist known for her love of art, birds, wildlife and the environment. Her illustrations for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are considered among the best histories the Service ever produced. Roberts worked closely with nature author Rachel Carson, traveling to important sites like Utah’s Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge to collect data for “Guarding our Wildlife Resources.” Kay Roberts designed and illustrated many of Carson’s publications including The Sea Around Us which earned a National Book Award in Nonfiction in 1952, and the booklets “Conservation in Action” published 1947-1950. This Award was originated in 2018 by Katherine’s daughter Marguerite Roberts, also a notable Utah artist.

Marie Eccles Caine (1892-1981) was a passionate supporter of visual and performing arts in Northern Utah. She was well known for handwritten notes of encouragement to art students as well as philanthropic giving to create atmospheres in which students can develop their talents. This Award originated in 2006 and is for Best Student Art.

Janet Bunger (1945-2023) belonged to AAUW of Utah where she served as State President twice, Wasatch Branch President twice, on the Art Show Committee, and as a Trustee of UWAE Trust. She received the Distinguished Woman Award in 2015. She also served as Finance Chair for the National AAUW Board of Directors. Janet was active with Girl Scouts in leadership roles and played a significant role in establishing Real Women Run in Utah. She moved to be near her family in North Carolina where she continued her AAUW membership. Janet believed in the power of education and unity to create a more equitable world for all. This award originates in 2024 and is sponsored by AAUW of Utah.

Kathryn Horvat (1938-2023) was a member of AAUW who served as a Trustee on the UWAE Art Trust as well as many other leadership roles. She was involved in promoting women's rights, human rights, and education through organizations including Women Graduates USA, Graduate Women International, and AAUW. Kathy attended sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women nearly every year from 2006 onward and completed the delegate training for Global Impact Chair. This award originates in 2024 and is sponsored by AAUW Salt Lake Wasatch Branch.

Laurie Hofmann (1964- ) currently serves on the AAUW National Governance Committee and has served as AAUW of Utah State President, Salt Lake Branch President, and on the Art Show Committee as well as many other leadership roles. Laurie served on the Salt Lake County Arts Council where she was instrumental in passing a mandate for equitable acquisition of art from women artists. She served on the Young Benefactor Board and the Friends of Contemporary Art (FOCA) Board at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. These two Boards became what is now known as Art Lovers at the UMFA to support building the Museum's Contemporary Art Collection. Laurie is a graduate of the Utah Department of Art and Museums (UDAM) Change Leader Program. Working together with Jorge Rojas (multidisciplinary artist), their final project for the Change Leader program is a mural on the Furst Construction Building at 700 West North Temple in Salt Lake City, entitled “Este Barrio No Se Vende” (“This Neighborhood is Not For Sale”). This mural is significant as a statement that art has the power to define a neighborhood and its people. This award originates in 2024 and is sponsored by AAUW Salt Lake Wasatch Branch.

The AAUW St. George Branch is vibrant and active in fulfilling the national mission of advancing equity for women and girls through education and advocacy. In fact, the Branch was recently honored as Community Partner of the Year by Utah Tech. Founded in 1982, the AAUW St. George Branch provides intellectually challenging programs at the local level, scholarships for students, an eSMART STEM Camp for 7^th Grade girls, and mentorship programs for the next generation of leaders. This Award originates in 2024 and is sponsored by AAUW St. George Branch.