Oakton seeks submissions for the annual Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program Art Exhibit

Last year’s Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program Art Show was attended by more than 300 visitors.

Des Plaines, Ill. (June 28, 2023) - Oakton College invites professional artists of all media, including performance artists, to submit a single work for the 15th annual Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program Art Show. The artwork for this year’s exhibition entitled “Don’t ‘Drag’ Me Down: Today’s Battle for Liberation” should provide social commentary and inspiration about how marginalized communities create courageous spaces, empower each other and change the world. The submission deadline is Aug. 11.

“Oakton’s annual Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program Art Show is drawn to respond to what’s happening in the world and to our communities. There have been many changes in U.S. legislation in the last year that threaten our bodily autonomy, our gender identities, our sexualities and our intellectual freedoms. Alongside the shifts in law and policy, there has been a culture of exclusion and violence at the local, state, national, and corporate levels,” said Lindsey Hewitt, Oakton distinguished professor of Anthropology and Humanities and coordinator of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. “As history reveals time and time again, the fight for justice and equity is never finished.”

Submissions may focus on women and/or other gender and sexual minorities, in or outside of the United States, with a contemporary or historical context and may focus on either the public or private sphere. Entries will be judged on artistic quality and adherence to the exhibition theme “Don’t ‘Drag’ Me Down: Today’s Battle for Liberation.”

Who can submit artwork?
Women, non-binary, and/or queer artists. Submissions must be from professional artists with a record of professional exhibitions and 18 years of age or older.

What kind of media will be accepted?
All media will be considered. There are no size limitations. Performance works will be considered if appropriate to the space.

Is there a jury/entry fee?
There are no fees.

Can you submit more than one work?
Each artist may submit one original work for consideration.

How do you submit work for consideration?
Please complete the WGSS Art Show Juried Art Exhibition Submission Form and attach the following documents by Friday, Aug. 11, 2023:

  • 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.
  • 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).
The exhibit will run from Oct. 5 - Nov. 3 at Oakton’s Koehnline Museum of Art, 1600 E. Golf Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016. A public reception will be held Thursday, Oct.5, 5- 8 p.m. For more information, please contact Nathan Harpaz, Museum manager, at 847.635.2633 or email nharpaz@oakton.edu.