$acred Motherhood
Emily Mayo
Madonna and Child (2024)
charcoal on paper
72 x 50 in.
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 4–7 PM CST
CLOSING RECEPTION & WALKTHROUGH: Saturday, February 15, 2–4 PM CST
CHICAGO—Woman Made Gallery (WMG) is proud to present $acred Motherhood. Throughout history, artistic representations of motherhood have mirrored society’s perceptions of maternal roles. From serene Renaissance paintings of the Virgin Mary to stark modern photographs of working-class mothers, visual images chronicle our shifting cultural narratives and societal expectations. The maternal figure is continually redrawn to reflect the religious, political, and economic ideals of each era. In the 21st century, as our understanding of gender and family structure continues to evolve, so too must our artistic explorations of motherhood and caregiving. This Open Call invites diverse perspectives on contemporary maternity. Submissions of art in any medium may include work that reflects on lived experience, challenges or redefines traditional concepts, examines economic and emotional labors of caregiving, or portrays diverse family structures. This exhibition is open to ALL artists, and we particularly welcome entries from women and non-binary artists, including transgender women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer artists.
Exhibition Events
The exhibition opens with a reception at Woman Made Gallery, located at 1332 S. Halsted St. in Chicago, on Saturday, January 18, from 4 to 7 PM. Regular gallery hours are Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 5 PM.
Additional events include a Virtual Artist Panel Discussion event on Monday, February 10 from 6-7 on Zoom with the juror, Kiki McGrath, and with several exhibiting artists. The exhibition concludes with a Closing Reception on Saturday, February 15, from 2 to 4 PM, offering a final opportunity to meet the participating artists in person.
Exhibiting Artists: Claire Bartleman, Andy Bellomo, Nicole Buckingham Kern, Ingrid Butterer, Maddie Casagranda, Rachel Garber Cole, Chris Cowan, DanaidX Collaboration, Yutian Deng, Kristen van Diggelen Sloan, Katherine Diuguid, Leni Dothan, Amanda Dragovic, Claire Drummond, Liz Barick Fall, Michelle Hartney, Ashley January, Jothi, Mary King, Oksana Kryzhanivska, Luiza Kurzyna, Zhi fang Li, Elizabeth Mihaltse Lindy, Laura Litten, Nesha Logan, Linda Marcus, Emily Mayo, Catherine Mellinger, Mildred Annani Mercado, Genesis Moreno, Amuri Morris, Mackenna Morse, Carol Myers, Kim Potowski, Schetauna Powell, Khytul Abyad Qazi, Gigi Salij, Marky Salvati, Alexandra Samios, Erin K. Schmidt, Rebecca C. Steiner, Ginny Sykes, Aurora Tabar, Christine Shallenberg, Rhonda Urdang