This exhibition seeks to provide space for an inclusive voice in the struggle for representation of BIPOC women in the art world. For 32 years Woman Made Gallery’s vision has been to “ensure the equal placement of women’s art in the world. WMG hosts conversations on issues that matter most to women, helping them make sense of the world through a feminist lens.”  

There are many schools of feminist thought; and mainstream feminism has not – intentionally or not – been inclusive of all voices. One such response to this is the “womanist” movement coined by Alice Walker in 1979, for black feminists or feminists of color, to address more specifically the needs of these groups. WMG would like to take a critical look at feminism. We want to hear the voices and view the work of those who have been systematically marginalized. 

Exhibition Description: According to The Burns Halperin Report published December 12, 2022 in Artnet News: "Work by Black American women comprises 0.5% of acquisitions at 31 U.S. art museums.” This info does not factor in all of BIPOC women artists, but gives a glimpse at the disparity for artists of color. This show intends to highlight work by these under-represented artists. What type of work do you create as a BIPOC feminist artist? Does feminism inform the work that you create? Please submit images of up three works in all media that include a visual element and have not been previously exhibited at the Gallery. Please address the theme of this exhibition in your work and in your artist statement. The exhibition will be held from October 12 to November 9, 2024 at Woman Made Gallery, 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Entry fee allows submission of up to three works.

First Entry Due Date: July 27, 2024, 11:59 PM CST (entry fee: $30) | Extended Final Entry Due Date (fee increases to $35): August 3, 2024, 11:59 PM

Jurors: Monica J. Brown & Donna Jackson

Monica J. Brown explores memory, history and personal mythology through visual art, sound, movement, writing and performance. Her visual art has been exhibited widely throughout Chicago, nationally and internationally. Some exhibition spaces include: SooVAC, Minneapolis, MN; The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ; and Ucross Art Gallery, Ucross, WY. Her work has been written about in Newcity Art, the Chicago Reader, the Detroit Art Review, and MPLSART. She has created murals with Chicago's Hubbard Street Mural Project, and Detroit's Live6 Neighborhood Arts Project. Her work is currently represented by Black Art in America and SoNa Chicago Gallery. Monica is a Ucross fellow, and has attended residencies at Atlantic Center for the Arts, Ragdale, and Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, among others. She has received grants from Chicago DCASE and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. She is also a recipient of Columbia College's Albert P. Weisman Award. She earned a BFA from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, and an MA from Columbia College Chicago. She currently resides in Chicago.Find out more at https://linktr.ee/mymyriadmuse.

Donna Jackson graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in University Studies, minoring in arts and engineering, and attended the College for Creative Studies as a graphic communications major. She is the founder of DMJStudio, a creative studio devoted to developing art projects and events that closes gaps between community and culture through public art, exhibits, film, and social collaboration. The studio’s desire is to make art and culture accessible everywhere and to everyone. The focus of many of the projects developed by the studio address the narratives of women, people of color, city life of the middle and lower-class and global citizenship. 

To ensure DMJStudio events and projects are free, Donna works and provides branding and design services to cultural and non-profit institutions and individuals. Organizations such as United Way, Charles H, Wright Museum of African American History to Focus Hope, Neighborhood Service Organizations, City of Houston, and Detroit Public Schools. Her goal is to work for non-profits and art institutions as a consultant while developing community-based art projects and exhibitions. Donna currently consults non-profits and artists in brand identity development, creating cultural experiences and digital platform management. In 2021, Donna became President of the Women’s Caucus for Art, a national organization supporting women in arts and activism. For more on Donna and her work, visit https://www.dmjstudio.com/.

Calendar 

Exhibition Dates: October 12 – November 9, 2024

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 12 from 4 to 7 PM CST 

Artist Walkthrough: Saturday, November 9 from 2 to 4 PM CST 

First Entry Due Date: July 27, 2024, 11:59 PM CST

Extended Due Date (fee increase to $35): August 3, 2024, 11:59 PM CST 

Notification: August 15, 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.