citizenSHIP: on the balance between the people and the state
Riverside Arts Center
Ypsilanti, MI
August 2-30, 2019
Hours: Thursday 3-8 pm, Friday 3-8 pm, Saturday 12-5 pm
Concept:
A community work-in-progress on the balance between the people and the state.
Our Ship of State has hit rough waters, rocked by globalization, broadening income and education gaps, and loss of jobs to new technologies. People are sharply divided between urban and rural communities and ideology; while women, African Americans, minorities and immigrants are sometimes treated like non-citizens, nurturing a culture of fear. The free press and voting rights are under attack from the highest offices. Though our constitution has evolved over time and continues to be reinterpreted, it is often only to the benefit of the few.
The Exhibition
Juried artwork will be shown on the walls and pedestals. Participation by different community partners will happen each weekend, with hands-on art making that will add work to the exhibition. A central platform will be built in the shape of a ship that viewers can climb up and walk around on, a soapbox, a space for experimental thinking, where artwork created during workshops will be added. The aim is a community dialogue about how to construct our own version of what citizenship should be.
Call for Art
Call for work in all media from artists of all ages addressing the balance between the people and the role of the state. What does it mean to be an American citizen right now? Do walls and borders make a nation? What does it take to maintain the human rights that have been deemed “unalienable”? What essential role does the State play? How do you see citizenship right now, how should it be in the future?
Juror – Valerie Mann – her work explores the place where 2D and 3D meet, and the shadows behind them. Growing up on a working farm, she finds physical labor releases her imagination. She teaches at Washtenaw Community College, gives adult classes at Saline’s Salt Valley Arts and in programs throughout the county for at-risk and special needs teens. Her work is in public and private collections throughout the US and abroad. She is part-owner of WSG gallery in Ann Arbor, lives and works in Saline, MI.
Submit to: EntryThingy WCAMI – due date extended to July 9.
Call for Programmed Projects
There will be accompanying programming throughout the month relating to challenges between the people and the role of the state. Discussions, panels, music, dance, multi-media are welcome, as well as civics classes, children’s groups and civic organization. Each event may have a hands-on art-making workshop, which can be part of your proposal or can be added separately. Work made then will be added to the exhibition for the run of the show with the aim of constructing our version of what the Ship of State should look like.
Please submit proposals for event participation to Margaret Parker mparkerst@gmail.com or Trevor Stone trevor@riversidearts.org by July 2.
A partnership between the Women’s Caucus for Art, Michigan and the Riverside Arts Center
Women's Caucus for Art 
Nice!!!!!!
Deadline extended to July 9th!