I Choose, Therefore I am is a peaceful protest and public art project created and curated by artist Rachelle LeBlanc. The project will help draw awareness to the recent events concerning women's rights. It will also give artists working in fiber and textile-based techniques a place to show their best work by expressing themselves through their perspective on how these changes affect their lives. These rights include the right to choose for herself, to live free from violence, discrimination from skin color, reproductive rights, sexual rights, including the LGBTQ community, and exploitation, to name a few. 

Where there is a choice, there is a voice to choose with complete liberty and freedom for oneself. This right is all-encompassing and is the heartbeat of Amnesty International's Women's Rights are Human Rights. What does this mean to you? How is this expressed through your art? This is your by while their rights get whittled away. 

The permanent online exhibition will have a dedicated website called www.ichoosethereforeiam.com and a social media presence on Instagram and Facebook. This project aims to create a safe space where women can record their emotional truth through a shared visual history. 

As the collection grows, catalogs will be produced and presented to Amnesty International in support of their mission, Women's Rights are Human Rights. The catalog will also be made available for purchase. We will work towards generating exhibition opportunities for the project and all its participants.

Application Requirements

All applicants must enter through www.callforentry.org. No entries will be accepted directly through the host organization. The entry fee is $20.00 for up to 3 entries.

Eligibility Criteria

This call is open to textile artists worldwide, both amateur and professional. Artworks in 2D and 3D fiber and textile-based materials, methods, and techniques, including rug hooking, tufting, punch needle, woven, quilted, embroidery, and knit, are eligible. Maximum size 40" x 40". There is no size limit for the permanent online exhibition. Work must be pro-women and created after November 9, 2016. Collaborations are accepted. Work that depicts graphic violence will not be accepted. Work needs to have been made after November 9, 2016. Artists must be 18 years old or older to participate.

ARTWORK DELIVERY

Artists are responsible for all shipping and insurance costs to and from the gallery. Shipped and Local Drop off of work must be received by: February 25, 2023. Kindly ship your work in reusable containers for return. Artists must issue prepaid return labels for their works through UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS. Artists who cannot pick up their work must arrange a pick-up by May 31, 2023. PLEASE MAKE YOUR RETURN LABEL EASY TO FIND UPON UNPACKING. Please include hanging instructions and hardware. Indicate packing directions for the return of your work—NO PACKING PEANUTS. 

SALES

All sales inquiries will be directed to the participating artist's email.