The CAMP Gallery cordially invites you to submit to this year’s edition of Women Pulling at The Threads of Social Discourse: The Epistle. This year’s exhibition will be broken into two distinct parts - the first being “letters,” the second being large scale
fiber portraits.
For the 8th edition of Women Pulling at The Threads of Social Discourse, we want to look back 250 years at the letters written to and by women during The American Revolution. These letters were often a combination of: their wishes, fears, and acts. Realizing that these women mailed one another sharing their focus on not only patriotism and the struggle at hand, but also shared their feelings and fears revolving around and in their own families as the war approached, arrived and ultimately ended. These women showed their ability to be integral in many key moments during this revolution - as they navigated a society that collectively held little value in women. For example, Abigail Adams, Deborah Sampson, Sybil Ludington, Phyliss Wheatley, Elizabeth Freeman, Esther Reed and many
more, named and unnamed all played their part.
The focus of this edition is words - and their weight. Following the lines of an epistolary novel, this exhibition asks artists to express through “fiber letters” what they would like to send out to the world. Content can be what they wish for, their daily lives, reverence to The American Revolution, and more.
The Letters:
Limiting the size to 8 x 14 inches, (sizes must be precise) artists can stitch actual text, weave, or collage something that they would want to express to a fellow artist navigating life. The works do not have to be only stitched letters, they can be visual and symbolic. The installation plan is to attach wire (reminiscent of clothesline) and hang the works using wood clothespins, and to run them along the walls in one gallery. Limiting the amount of works to these walls will allow the viewer more time and space to explore the works and contemplate their messages. Please note, the goal of this exhibition is to remind each other of our shared humanness, that regardless of wether we agree with each other, at the end of the day, we share the same worries. This section of the exhibition will be limited to 50 pieces. In addition to the fiber piece, artists will also be asked to hand write an actual letter to another participating artist to mimic the letters written by women during the America Revolution. These letters, which serve as a ‘check in’ will then be scanned and placed in a Sub-Stack to run alongside the show - becoming another aspect of the show.
The Portraits:
For artists wishing to submit for the portrait section of the exhibition we ask you to submit a sketch proposal for an artwork that will measure 36 x 72 inches (sizes must be precise). We do not necessarily want portraits of actual heroines from the American Revolution, but idealized imaginations, or self portraits. For this section, works can be made by more than one artists and fiber groups are encouraged to create a work together. This section of the exhibition will be limited to not exceed 13 artworks in total.
Proposal Process:
Artists are required to research letters from women during The American Revolution, writings, if any, from the names above in bold, and attempt to absorb their essence, we are looking for works that respond without naming, the goal of the exhibition is our shared humanity, not our divisions.
We ask that artists submit a proposal first, detailing how their piece compliments the chosen theme, with an accompanying sketch and/or render. Please do not make any pieces before notice of acceptance.
Artists are required to explore their response through fiber/textiles, and associated techniques. Artists may use threads, weaving, tapestry, embroidery, tufting, etc. Works can be stitched text, abstract, figurative, geometric, etc.
Please note that this is a Call for Fiber Art; proposals must include practices related to fiber art, whether or not artists’ practices center the medium.
Proposals must be submitted to xoxo@thecampgallery.com with artist’s name and “The Epistle” in the subject line.
Some Suggested Reading (Not necessarily Accredited Sources):
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/women-american-revolution#:~:text=Women
https://www.dar.org/library/research-guides/forgotten-patriots
https://www.frauncestavernmuseum.org/wrw-collection
https://www.readinggroupguides.com/reviews/womens-letters-america-from-the-revolutionary-war-to-the-present/excerpt#:~:text=1776:
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