Pivotal: An Exploration of Art and Activism

'I wanted my painting to express this moment I knew was history. I wanted to give my woman's point of view to this period.' - Faith Ringgold

Artists have used their talents as a tool for activism for generations. From Faith Ringgold's painting 'The United States of Attica' to Kara Walker's critiques on colonialism to Tatyana Fazlalizadeh's campaign against street harassment 'Stop Telling Women to Smile', women have continually used art to comment on the status quo.

The Women's Caucus for Art of Greater Washington, DC (WCADC) presents PIVOTAL, an exploration of the intersection between art and activism.

WCADC invites women / women-identifying artists based in the United States to submit work that explores socio-political and economic protest, injustice, resistance, and activism, and how artists work to pivot us towards a more just society.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
September 30, 2023

ELIGIBILITY
All women artists residing in the United States are eligible to submit. Payment of $25 for Women's Caucus for Art members (any chapter) and $35 for non-members per entry.

CATEGORIES ACCEPTED
Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, hangable sculpture and assemblage, collage, mixed media, fiber art, and sculpture.

This exhibition cannot accept jewelry, video, film, performance art, or works requiring an external electrical source and installation.

ARTWORK MAXIMUM SIZE
2-Dimensional Work: No larger than 48 x 48 inches.
3-Dimensional Work: Must fit pedestal sized 16 inches x 16 inches or take up no more than 4 feet of gallery floor space.

ARTWORK PRESENTATION
Artworks must arrive exhibition-ready. Be sure to use D-rings and wire for 2-dimensional pieces.

EXHIBITION DATES
Wednesday, November 13, 2023 to Friday, January 3, 2024 (8 weeks)

ARTIST RECEPTION
Sunday, December 3, 2pm to 4pm

VENUE
Montpelier Arts Center
9652 Muirkirk Road
Laurel, MD 20708

The Montpelier Arts Center (MAC) is managed by the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission, Arts and Cultural Heritage division. MAC offers exhibitions for emerging and established artists, music concerts, performances for children and families, and classes in the visual and performing arts.

JUROR
Lisa Grand Murphy is a local artist, teacher, writer, and photographer, practicing and teaching in the Washington, DC-Metro Area. A University of Maryland graduate with a MA in Communications, Lisa also works as a Marketing/Communications Consultant for various non-profit arts organizations in Montgomery County, including Photoworks Photography Center in Glen Echo Park, MD. Lisa has exhibited her art and photography in private and public galleries including 'FORCE OF NATURE,' a National Juried Exhibition at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH and 'SHIFTING EARTH,' an exhibition of her large-scale reduction linoprints at Via Umbria Gallery in Washington, DC.

IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS
Each JPG or PNG image file must be named with the artist's first_lastname_title (example: Vincent_Vangogh_Starrynight.jpg). Image file should not be larger than 5MB and 1400px wide. Images should be clear, good quality, and taken without frames or additional text added.

NON-REFUNDABLE ENTRY FEE
Payment of $25 for Women's Caucus for Art members and $35 for non-members per entry. An entry consists of one to three submission of images. Credit card payment through PayPal only. You do not need a PayPal account to pay through PayPal. WCADC members: remember to use the coupon code WCADC at checkout.

NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS
October 13, 2023. All artists who have submitted artwork will be notified by email. The email will come from [email protected]. You will receive notification even if no artwork has been selected. If you do not receive notice by October 20, please check your email spam or trash folder and contact WCADC.

HAND-DELIVERY OF ARTWORK
Artwork that will be hand-delivered must arrive Saturday, November 4, 2023, 10 am - 2 pm.

SHIPPING OF ARTWORK
All shipped artwork must be received by November 3, 2023. Unsold shipped works will be shipped back by January 20, 2023. Artists are responsible for the cost of shipping. Accepted work must be accompanied by a UPS or FedEx prepaid return label or it will not be exhibited. Put an envelope inside your box titled 'return envelope' with the return label. The maximum shipment weight including packing materials and crate must not exceed 30 pounds. The work must be sent in reusable packaging with no styrofoam packing peanuts. Neither Montpelier Arts Center nor Women's Caucus for Art are responsible for damage caused in transit.

INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
Artwork is insured while on the premises of Montpelier Arts Center.

PICK-UP OF ARTWORK
Saturday, January 6, 10 am to noon. Artwork left behind may be subject to a late fee and/or discarded by Montpelier Arts Center.

SALES OF ART
75% of a sale will go to the artist, 25% of a sale will go to the Montpelier Arts Center. Items sold must remain on exhibit for the duration of the show.

QUESTIONS?
This exhibition is organized by the Exhibitions Committee, a collective within WCADC.

For questions, email [email protected] with the subject: 'Pivotal'.