Dear Friend:

In response to the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and in conjunction with the Jan/Feb 2023 group exhibition, ROE 2.0, Woman Made Gallery is asking for your voice by sharing your abortion story. This is an on-going project and there is no entry due date. We'll exhibit the stories as they come in, and we feature them on WMG's website.  

We know that there are dozens of reasons why abortions are necessary and it is never a decision taken lightly.

“It was the right decision for me and for the children I already gave birth to.” “I was not ready to be a mother.” “I got my life back.” “It allowed me to complete my education.” “I was able to leave my bad relationship.” “It secured my future.” “It saved my life.” “It was medically and mentally necessary.” “I did not want to be pregnant.”

Whatever the reasons, the most outrageous part of all of this, is that half of the population has been told that they no longer have rights over their own body and that they are now 2nd class citizens.

When I had my abortion, I could not be more unprepared. I was using contraception. yet I accidentally became pregnant. I had no job and I had just been admitted to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to receive my Master’s degree which made a tremendous difference in my life and my career, receiving the credentials necessary to teach.

There are a thousand stories. I had pretty much forgotten mine, pushed it aside. When it was over, I moved on, taught college Art, exhibited my work, and promoted other Women artists.

Even if you have not had an abortion, you know someone who has. You may have driven them to the appointment. You may remember the feelings of that day and many years afterward.

We are soliciting those personal stories now not to exceed more than 500 words. You may sign your name or stay anonymous. With your permission, your story together with others is shared on WMG’s Website.

You have a choice to sign your name, or to be anonymous and your identity will be omitted. There is no entry fee to submit your story. By clicking the checkbox in this application, you accept and agree to the Acknowledgment and Grant of Permission. If you do not agree to the Acknowledgment and Grant of Permission, you should not submit your experience to Woman Made for the Online Project: My Abortion: My Choice. 

Regards, Marcia Grubb

Lifetime WMG Member | Past President of Woman Made Gallery

Keywords:  Roe v. Wade, Reproductive Rights, Pro-Choice, Feminism, Feminist, My Body, My Choice, Planned Parenthood, Abortion Is Healthcare, Womens Rights

This is an Open Call for an exhibition about Motherhood. Throughout history, artistic representations of motherhood have mirrored society's perceptions of maternal roles. From serene Renaissance paintings of the Virgin Mary to stark modern photographs of working-class mothers, visual images chronicle our shifting cultural narratives and societal expectations. The maternal figure is continually redrawn to reflect the religious, political, and economic ideals of each era.

Exhibition Description:

In the 21st century, as our understanding of gender and family structure continues to evolve, so too must our artistic explorations of motherhood and caregiving. This Open Call invites diverse perspectives on contemporary maternity. Submissions of art in any medium may include work that reflects on lived experience, challenges or redefines traditional concepts, examines economic and emotional labors of caregiving, or portrays diverse family structures. This exhibition is open to ALL artists, and we particularly welcome entries from women and non-binary artists, including transgender women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer artists. 

Please submit images of up three works in all media that include a visual element and have not been previously exhibited at the Gallery. Artists must address the theme of this exhibition in their work and in their artist statement.

 About the Juror: Kiki McGrath (she/her) is an artist based in Chicago, Illinois. Her installations and collaborative performances explore the overlapping edges of ritual, labor, and social history. Selected exhibitions include ‘Anchorhold’ in the National Cathedral in Washington DC, ‘Polishing the Glass Ceiling’ in the Chicago Cultural Center, and ‘Art in Odd Places’ in New York City. She curates shows in non-profit and alternative sites and hosts the project space Coachhouse1. For more information visit Kiki's website: www.kikimcgrath.com

The exhibition will be held from January 18 to February 15, 2025 at Woman Made Gallery, 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.

First Entry Due Date: November 16, 2024, 11:59 PM CST (entry fee: $30) | Final Entry Due Date (fee increases to $35): November 23, 2024, 11:59 PM

Calendar 

Exhibition Dates: January 18 – February 15, 2025 

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 18 from 4 to 7 PM CST 

Artist Walkthrough: Saturday, February 15 from 2 to 4 PM CST 

First Entry Due Date: November 16, 2024, 11:59 PM CST 

Extended Due Date (fee increase to $35): November 30, 2024, 11:59 PM CST 

Notification: December 7, 2024

Entry Fee 

*The entry fee is $30 until the first deadline. The entry fee will then increase to $35 per entry. Each entry requires a minimum of one artwork, though up to three artworks may be considered per submission. Entry fees are non-refundable. 

Members at the Enhanced Artist Level ($100) and above receive one free entry annually. Please email general@womanmade.org to receive your one-time code for free entry redemption. 

WMG offers up to 30 fee waivers per exhibition. To acknowledge the historic inequities of wealth distribution, they are mainly reserved for ALAANA/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+. If you require a fee waiver simply email us explaining your need and we will assist you. Please email WMG at general@womanmade.org to request a fee-waiver. 

Eligibility Woman Made Gallery is a space for women and nonbinary artists, including trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer artists. We welcome art from women and non-binary artists from our local community, regionally based, and around the world. 

Due to wall size restrictions, artworks must be no larger than 6’ horizontally and under 75 pounds in weight, unless delivered to and picked up from our gallery by the artist. Artists may be additionally responsible for the installation of oversized works. 

New media artworks are eligible. To be considered, artists must submit a sample .mp4 or URL under 10 mins for purposes of consideration. For exhibition, WMG requires a digital transfer (Google Drive, Vimeo downloads, WeTransfer) as well as a USB formatted in .mp4 file format delivered to the gallery. WMG can provide a limited number of screens and projectors with basic speakers. All other new media needs are the responsibility of the artist. 

Art Sales Accepted work may be listed for sale or be not for sale (NFS). WMG will retain a 40% commission on sold works. Work remains the property of the artist until sold. Sold artworks shall remain in the exhibition until the end of the exhibition. Artists will be paid no later than 30 days after the close of the exhibit. Artists may donate any portion of their commission to WMG. 

Terms of Exhibition An artist contract with full terms of the exhibition will be administered at the time of acceptance notification. Artists need to retrieve their work by the date noted in the artist contract or make alternate arrangements. WMG is unable to store work beyond the pick-up date. Artists may donate their art to WMG's fundraising efforts if unable to pick it up. WMG is happy to talk through preparations, offer advice, and recommend resources as requested.

Exhibition Description: Woman Made Gallery seeks entries in all media by women and non-binary artists worldwide for its 26th International Open, on view from March 1 to March 29, 2025. 

Juried by artist and educator, Savneet K Talwar, this open theme encourages entries that explore or challenge conceptual and material boundaries. The exhibition will be held at Woman Made Gallery, located at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.

Prizes Awarded: 1st Place $500 / 2nd Place $250 / 3rd Place $100 | 4th Place Honorable Mention

About the Juror: Savneet K Talwar
Savneet Tawar is a Chicago based American Studies scholar, fiber artist, educator and art therapist. She is currently a faculty member at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the art therapy and fiber and material studies departments. As an interdisciplinary fiber and feminist artist, her work exists at the intersection of archives, memory, language, feminist politics and questions of resistance. She is interested in the contradictions of feminist labor and archival matters to explore history and memory that questions– what and who is worthy of being a subject of discourse? What colonial narratives and images continue to define matters of the global south? 

For more information visit Savneet Talwar's website. 

 Important Dates
Exhibition Dates: March 1–29, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 1 at 4–7 PM CST
First Entry Due Date: December 31, 2024, 11:59 PM CST
Extended Due Date (fee increase to $35): * Jan. 5, 2025 | 11:59 PM CST
Notification: January 11, 2025

Entry Fee
The entry fee is $30 until the first deadline. The entry fee will then increase to $35 per entry for an extended due date.  Each entry requires a minimum of one artwork, though up to three artworks may be considered per submission. Entry fees are non-refundable.
Members at the Enhanced Artist Level and above receive one free entry annually. Please email general@womanmade.org to receive your one-time code for free entry redemption.

WMG offers fee waivers to those who request the need. WMG offers up to 30 fee waivers per exhibition. To acknowledge the historic inequities of wealth distribution, they are exclusively reserved for ALAANA/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+. Factors that result in an approved application include financial instability or low income status, student or recent graduate status, identification as ALAANA/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+, or a demonstrated need otherwise. The WMG team will approve and send a fee waiver link within 2 days of artist's request. Please email WMG at general@womanmade.org to request a fee-waiver.

Eligibility
Woman Made Gallery is a space for women and nonbinary artists, including trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer artists. We welcome art from women and non-binary artists from our local community, regionally based, and around the world.

Due to wall size restrictions, artworks must fall within 6’ horizontally and under 75 pounds in weight, unless delivered to and picked up from our gallery by the artist. Artists may be additionally responsible for the installation of oversized works.

New media artworks are eligible. To be considered, artists must  submit a sample .mp4 or URL under 10 mins for purposes of consideration. For exhibition, WMG requires a digital transfer (Google Drive, Vimeo downloads, WeTransfer) as well as a USB formatted in .mp4 file format delivered to the gallery. WMG can provide a limited number of media players, Epson projectors and TV monitors with basic speakers. All other new media needs are the responsibility of the artist.

Art Sales
Accepted work may be listed for sale or be not for sale (NFS). WMG will retain a 40% commission on sold works. Work remains the property of the artist until sold. Sold artworks shall remain in the exhibition until the end of the exhibition. Artists will be paid no later than 30 days after the close of the exhibit.

Terms of Exhibition
An artist contract with full terms of the exhibition will be administered at the time of acceptance notification.

Artists need to retrieve their work by the date noted in the artist contract or make alternate arrangements. WMG is unable to store work beyond the pick-up date. Artists may donate their art to WMG's fundraising efforts if unable to pick it up. WMG is happy to talk through preparations, offer advice, and recommend resources as requested.