Throughout history, there hasn’t been a time where we haven’t been under threat. It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about external challenges like the threat of war, losing bodily autonomy, pandemics, sexual violence, discriminatory laws, climate change, colonialism, and community violence or quiet internal battles like enduring mental health crises, physical disabilities, financial instability, debilitating illnesses, mounting fears, and crushing self-doubt. How are we still standing through all of this? At what cost? And will we survive? What can we do to continue the fight? We must achieve our goals of liberation. Peace. Wellness. Stability. Resilience. Love. Security. Community. But what must be done first for us to get to the center of our deepest longing, our freedom dreams, and our wildest imaginations?
For this year’s annual juried women’s exhibition, Oakton invites professional artists of all media, including performance artists who self-identify as women, to submit a single work that provides social commentary and inspiration on the ways that women create courageous spaces and how we empower each other and change the world. Submissions may focus on women in the United States or globally, may have either a contemporary or historical context, and may focus on women in either the public or private sphere. Entries will be judged on artistic quality and adherence to the exhibition theme Our Bodies, Our Health: Navigating the Wars Within and Around Us. Note: Submissions that do not directly relate to the exhibit theme will not be considered.
Where: Koehnline Museum of Art, Oakton College, 1600 E. Golf Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016, 847-635-2633.
When: The exhibit runs Oct 6 - Nov 3, 2022. A public reception will be held Thursday, October 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. Artists are encouraged to attend this special event and discuss their work with students and other attendees.
Who: Artists who self-identify as women. Submissions must be from professional artists who have a record of professional exhibitions and are 18 years of age or older.
Jury/Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Catalog: The college will produce an exhibition catalog.
Submission of Work: Each artist may submit one original work for consideration. Work should relate to the theme of Our Bodies, Our Health: Navigating the Wars Within and Around Us. There are no size limitations.
DEADLINE AND GUIDELINES:
Please complete the form below and attach the following documents by Friday, August 5, 2022.
1) Image or video of work: image should be a JPEG (.jpg) of at least 300 dpi. (at least 1 MB). Label all work with the artist’s name, title of work, date, and medium.
2) Artist Statement and Biography: artist statement and biography should be a Microsoft Word document only (no PDFs or JPEGs) and should not exceed 150 words (no résumés). Please be aware that statements and biographies will be edited for spelling, grammar, and context.
Media: All media considered. Performance works will be considered if appropriate to the space. Installations and work that the artist determines to be delicate must be installed and removed by the artist. The Museum manager will determine if works should be installed and removed by the artist.
Insurance: All work will be insured while in the museum.
Delivery of Accepted Work: All work, hand-delivered or shipped, must arrive at the museum between 11 am - 4 pm on Saturday, October 1 or 10 am - 6 pm on Monday, October 3, 2022. Shipped work must include a prepaid return shipping label for the artist’s preferred carrier. (Postage stamps are not accepted.)
Pickup of Work: Saturday, Nov 5, 2022, or Monday, Nov 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. If the indicated times for delivery or pickup are not convenient, contact Nathan Harpaz, Ph.D., manager of the Koehnline Museum of Art, 847-635-2633, to arrange a more convenient time and date.
Other Information: On the back of each piece, please place the artist’s name and phone number, title of work, year completed, medium, and insurance value. The Koehnline Museum does not take commissions on sales. Artists will be placed in contact with interested buyers.
Questions? Call Nathan Harpaz at 847-635-2633 or email nharpaz@oakton.edu