It's well-known that nuns were very active in sacred and liturgical arts, including the making of vestments and altar cloths, illuminated manuscripts, furnishings for the altar and paintings including elaborate rood screens and painted wood carvings.
In the early Middle Ages--from the fifth century to the year 1,000 , more or less ---there were dozens of great (major) abbesses who ruled and dispensed justice, mastered both the the practical and liturgical arts, and kept learning alight.
An excellent example is St. Hilda of Whitby. According to her biographer, the Venerable Bede, "not only ordinary people but monks and kings and queens from afar streamed to her" for instruction in the arts and literature, and for advice and counsel.
Hilda was the abbess of the great double monastery at Whitby, ruling over not only her own community but a monastery of friars as well. St. Hilda emphasized learning for her friars and nuns. They studied scripture. They illuminated manuscripts. They solved mathematical riddles--for fun!
The well-documented histories of Hilda of Whiby, Hildegard of Bingen, Teresa of Avila, Bridget of Sweden and their artistic and illustrious sisters (especially my favorites, the splendid Rhineland Benedictines),is evidently news to some!
I've heard that and have no real doubt, but I doubt it's well known beyond those who pay attention to these things.