CHICAGO—Woman Made Gallery (WMG) is proud to present the 25th International Open, a group exhibition with work by 40 artists. Curated by Priscilla Otani, this open theme encourages entries that explore or challenge conceptual and material boundaries. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, March 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.
Exhibiting Artists: Kiley Ames, Brittanie Bondie, Tian Bu, Melissa English Campbell, Donna R. Charging, Fabiana Comas Risquez, Bria Corranda, Katie Croft, Zarina N. Docken, AJ Duncan, Elaine Emmons, Ana Maria Farina, Rachel Feinstein, Brianna Freitag, Chen Gao, Karen M. Gutfreund, Chloe Harthan, Ellen Holtzblatt, Peggy Blei Hracho, Janet Jaffke, Olivia Jobbe, Shannon Knowlton, Natasha Kravchenko, Maddy Lee, Anna Lentz, Angela A. McElwain, Dee Mostofi, Nelson, Colleen O’Rourke, Mimm Patterson, Schetauna Powell, Maya Rau-Murthy (in collaboration with Meena Chen and Mrinaalika Sivakumar), Sawyer Rose, Anna Sahkul, Tanya Scott, Rose Sellery, Annmarie Suglio, Julianne Wallace Sterling, Karina Walter, Cat Washington
25th International Open Awards: First Prize – Donna R. Charging; Second Prize – Melissa English Campbell; Third Prize: Ana Maria Farina; Fourth Prize – Maddy Lee. Congratulations!
Juror’s Statement: “It was a pleasure to serve as juror for Woman Made Gallery’s 25th International Open. What an impressive array of artworks to choose from and how challenging to reduce my selections from among a record number of worthy submissions! Unlike themed exhibitions, the Open allowed me to consider attributes other than adherence to a particular topic. My selections were based on power of expression, unique points of view, mastery of media, and audacity of scale. Among my selections were works that used traditional women’s media such as weaving, knitting, and clothing. I chose artists who transformed masculine media such as metal and wire into feminine imagery of uterus, dress, and wedding cake. I selected a range of women’s bodies and faces, many gazing directly at the viewer in utter confidence, vulnerability, or resolve. The use of unconventional material and the transformation of conventional media into something totally unique also drew my attention. Despite the absence of thematic constraints, I found myself compiling an exhibition that focused on the power of women. I am confident that the viewer will be inspired by the unbridled creativity of these artists.”
About the Juror: Priscilla Otani is Board President of the Northern California Women’s Caucus for Art (NCWCA), founding partner of Arc Studios & Gallery in San Francisco, art curator and interdisciplinary artist. Founded in 1973, NCWCA has an activist mission in support of women in the arts and its membership includes artists, art historians, curators, gallerists, art educators and students. As newly elected Board President, Otani prioritizes the continuation of NCWCA’s successful programs such as the mentorship program, curatorial tours, activist exhibitions, and professional development as well as building collaborative opportunities with Bay Area businesses. As partner of Arc Studios & Gallery, Otani has focused on showcasing and promoting emerging and established artists in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Since 2010, Arc has exhibited more than 500 mostly local artists, provides studio spaces for 14 local artists, and houses two micro-businesses. As curator, Otani has produced local, national and international exhibitions through Arc Gallery, NCWCA, National Women’s Caucus for Art, and the Pacific Center for the Book Arts. As an interdisciplinary artist, she has participated in many activist-themed exhibitions, ranging in subject matter from immigration, reproductive rights, women’s rights, to politics. Otani received her BA in Psychology and Asian Studies from Mills College in 1974 and MA in Japanese Literature from Columbia University in 1976. Born in Tokyo, Otani is a bi-cultural, naturalized United States citizen. For more information, visit Priscilla Otani’s website: http://www.mrpotani.com/
25th International Open Press Release
(Banner Image: Artwork by Julianne Wallace Sterling)
Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 12–5 PM CST | WMG is closed between exhibitions.
Woman Made Gallery is supported in part by grants from The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council Agency; and the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Puffin Foundation, a major anonymous donor, and the generosity of its members and contributors.
