About SOLA
SOLA stands for Support of Old Lady Artists and was founded in 2016 to honor accomplished, yet under-recognized, mature women visual artists. The current SOLA Award includes a $5,000 unrestricted grant, a brief bio video, professional support and networking for five women artists in Washington. One award is specifically designated to highlight the career of a black, indigenous, or artist of color. Each SOLA Award is valued at $12,000 per artist.
By the end of 2026, SOLA will have invested more than $200,000 to 41 women artists across Washington.
Our Founders,
Ginny Ruffner & Marge Levy
SOLA (Support of Old Lady Artists) was co-founded in 2016 by Ginny Ruffner and Marge Levy, two visionary artists and lifelong advocates for the creative spirit. What began as a conversation between friends about the challenges mature women artists face in gaining recognition quickly grew into a movement — one grounded in generosity, humor, and an unshakable belief in possibility. Their shared laughter, creativity, and conviction continue to shape SOLA’s mission: to celebrate and support women artists in all stages of their creative lives.
Ginny Ruffner
An internationally recognized artist known for her groundbreaking glass and multimedia works, Ginny Ruffner has spent her career expanding the language of art through invention and imagination. Her sculptures, paintings, and large-scale installations have been exhibited worldwide, exploring transformation, resilience, and the power of curiosity.
A longtime Seattle resident, Ginny’s influence extends far beyond her artwork. Through teaching, mentorship, and community collaboration, she has inspired generations of artists to take risks and reimagine what art can be.
Marge Levy
Artist, educator, and leader Marge Levy dedicated more than sixty years to shaping the arts through teaching, mentorship, and advocacy. She served as Dean of the School of Art and Design at the University of Michigan, Executive Director of Pilchuck Glass School, and held key leadership roles with the Seattle Art Museum, Bellevue Arts Museum, Artist Trust, and Pottery Northwest.
A fellow and past president of NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts), Marge helped unite thousands of artists and educators through her commitment to community and craft. She nurtured countless artists while maintaining her own vibrant ceramic practice in terracotta sculpture and vessels.
SOLA Leadership
SOLA founder and artist, Ginny Ruffner, established a small, but mighty team of experienced women professionals in the arts to explore and shape SOLA’s growth alongside her.
SOLA Board of Directors
Fidelma McGinn
Board President
Stephanie Stebich
Board Vice President
Tina Oldknow
Board Secretary
Billy Howard
Board Treasurer
Donna Glassford
Jim Heath
Elisheba Wokoma
Al Martin
Judith Rinehart
Chase Rynd
SOLA Advisory Council
Shari Behnke
Kim Shirley
Greg Robinson
SOLA Equity Statement
Artist and SOLA Founder, Ginny Ruffner, wanted to find a way to encourage and celebrate accomplished women artists whose work had not been sufficiently or widely recognized. She was also extremely familiar with the inequities in the art world and, having written and spoken about gender disparities for years, Support of Old Lady Artists (SOLA) was founded in 2016.
Despite over 50 years of a bold feminist art movement addressing the inequities and bias in society, women continue to be underfunded, underseen, undercollected and underrecognized. Additionally, as per the World Health Organization in 2016, “Ageism is the most socially ‘normalized’ of any prejudice and is not widely challenged.”
SOLA’s mission is “to award cash grants to female visual artists over 60 who are currently living in Washington State and have created a body of work spanning at least 25 years.” We recognize further systemic inequities exist as additional barriers for Black, Indigenous, Latina, Asian, and other women artists of color, as well as LGBTQAI, and those that are differently-abled. SOLA will continue to create equal access to funding and are dedicated to create future programs and resources through an equity lens. We were founded on the very spirit of change and triumph over adversity and will continue our work to dismantle barriers.
