The Dinner Party is a monumental work of art, triangular in configuration, that employs numerous media, including ceramics, china-painting, and an array of needle and fiber techniques, to honor the history of women in Western Civilization. An immense open table covered with fine white cloths is set with thirty-nine place settings, thirteen on a side, each commemorating a goddess, historical figure, or important woman. The table rests upon an immense porcelain floor comprised of 2304 hand-cast, gilded and lustred tiles on which are inscribed the names of 999 other important women. These names are grouped around the place settings to symbolize the long traditions of women’s achievements.
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Through an unprecedented world wide grass-roots movement, The Dinner Party was exhibited in 16 venues in 6 countries on 3 continents to a viewing audience of over one million people. The Dinner Party - which has been the subject of countless books and articles - is now permanently housed in the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum where it draws thousands of visitors from all over the globe.
In 2009, Judy Chicago and Through the Flower, the non-profit arts organization founded by Chicago in 1978, launched The Dinner Party Curriculum, a guide for K-12 teachers who want to introduce women’s history into their classrooms. This curriculum is now an in-perpetuity “living curriculum” on the website of Penn State University, one of the leading art education institutions in the country.
Also in Pennsylvania, nearby Kutztown University offers The Dinner Party Institute annually, a program which provides training in the many potential applications of the curriculum to K-12 teachers of all disciplines. Each year, Through the Flower offers the Minx Auerbach Award for Teaching Excellence along with a cash prize to the teacher who demonstrates the most innovative uses of the curriculum.