Image Description: “Call for Art” at top of page in bold slanted font with groovy pink, yellow, and orange flowers behind. An orange banner directly below reads, “Deadline Extended {strikethrough crossing out April 30} to May 30“. Below that is the exhibition title: “Bridging the Gap: Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Awareness” over a pale pink banner to stand out. Next on the left, text reads “In Partnership with Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Collective, DC Breastfeeding Coalition, Anthropology of Motherhood,” The central right image is of a breastfeeding woman with blue green skin, long dark hair, holding her bright orange baby in her arms, with a peaceful expression and eyes closed. Behind them is a column of pale pink flowers. At the bottom, “Apply at: anthropologyofmotherhood.com”.
CALL FOR ART
Bridging the Gap
Deadline for submissions extended: April 30 MAY 30, 2026
Anthropology of Motherhood (AoM), the DC Breastfeeding Coalition (DCBFC), and the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Collective (DHHBFC) are partnering for an exciting new initiative that raises awareness of Deaf and Hard of Hearing breastfeeding, and serves as a call to action for bridging the gap in breastfeeding practice between Deaf/HH and hearing mothers/parents.
AoM, DCBFC, and DHHBFC are seeking submissions for an upcoming art exhibition titled Bridging the Gap. We invite artists to contribute works that reflect, challenge, and expand understanding of Deaf & Hard of Hearing breastfeeding experiences.
We hold that care in breastfeeding is a central element of human life and creativity. Care exists at the intersection of art, labor, and love. It encompasses the unseen and often undervalued work of nurturing others, including community support and self-care. How do we render care visible? What does it mean to aestheticize acts of care— to translate these deeply personal, collective, and political gestures into visual, auditory, or tactile forms? We encourage artists to interpret this theme broadly, considering questions such as:
Identifying when there is a lack of communication, lack of camaraderie, lack of healthcare providers, lack of access to language of solidarity and education that is crucial to the success of breastfeeding
Identifying gaps in healthcare; bridging that gap in healthcare
How do cultural practices and traditions shape our understanding of mainstream care and Deaf care?
What are the tensions between the visibility and invisibility of caregiving labor, especially with regard to Deaf and Hard of Hearing breastfeeding?
How does care intersect with identity, race, gender, class, and other social factors?
In what ways can art serve as an act of care, fostering connection and healing?
How can we reimagine care systems and economies through artistic expression
How does reliance on peer-shared knowledge within Deaf communities impact access to breastfeeding and prenatal information, and how might art help build or sustain these critical networks?
EXHIBITION DETAILS
Selected works will be featured in a group exhibition at the Washburn Arts Center at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, from July through August of 2026. Then, the selected works will be featured in a virtual group exhibition on the Anthropology of Motherhood website and social media platforms during Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Awareness Week, September 16-22, 2026.
Participating artists will be notified by June 5, 2026.
If artists decide to list their work for sale, 100% of proceeds go to the artist.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Deadline for Submissions: April 30, 2026.
EXTENDED to May 30, 2026.
Eligibility: This call is open to artists working in all media, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance, video, sound, and digital art. Collaborative works are accepted.
Submission Requirements:
Artist Statement: A brief statement (300 words max) explaining how your work connects to the theme of Bridging the Gap.
Artwork Details: Up to 5 high-quality images or video links of proposed works. Include title, medium, dimensions, and year of creation for each piece.
Artist Bio: A short biography (150 words max).
Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and website or social media handles (if applicable).
The DC Breastfeeding Coalition was established to increase the breastfeeding rates of all infants living in the District of Columbia. Working in partnership with maternal and child health professionals, community health organizations, and mother-to-mother support groups, the DC Breastfeeding Coalition seeks to promote, protect and support culturally-sensitive programs and activities that build awareness and understanding of the preventive health benefits of breastfeeding. Through its breastfeeding research, advocacy and educational activities, the Coalition seeks to reduce health disparities -- particularly among racialized families living in DC communities with less resources.
The Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Collective empowers Deaf and Hard of Hearing families with accessible breastfeeding education, support, and community because language access matters from birth.
Image Description: A warmly toned flyer with black text for show info: "Anthropology of Motherhood: Aesthetics of Care Art Exhibition."
A collage image piece by Sophia Cardillo has tightly packed and stacked layers of warmly toned textiles in various folded and draping textures, nestled in a wooden shelf. A femme figure sits on top of the shelf, gently bending forward to hold the arms of a baby who is lying down on their back. Folded and draped cloths with folk embroidery covers each of their heads.
Artist names are listed to the right of the image: "Sophia Cardillo, Hannah Colen, Adair Heitmann, Mélanie Janel, Laura Lee McCartney, Saskia Le Peissker, Kat Marquez, Ella-Gabriel Mason, Evangeline Mensah-Agyekum, Lo/Lauren Nakamura, Elizabeth Mae Renfrew, Sarah Rose, Carrie Smith Libman, Stefanie Zito"
Exhibition dates and event information is listed in black text below, along with the location and address:
"June 5-26
June 5, 6-8 pm Opening Reception
June 26, 6-8 pm Closing Party
Radiant Hall Studios
308 Seventh Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222".
anthropology of motherhood
AESTHETICS of CARE
art exhibition
June 5-26
Radiant Hall Studios
308 Seventh Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
June 5, 6-8 pm Opening Reception
June 26, 6-8 pm Closing Party
Sophia Cardillo
Hannah Colen
Adair Heitmann
Mélanie Janel
Laura Lee McCartney
Saskia Le Peissker
Kat Marquez
Ella-Gabriel Mason
Evangeline Mensah-Agyekum
Lo/Lauren Nakamura
Elizabeth Mae Renfrew
Sarah Rose
Carrie Smith Libman
Stefanie Zito
The Anthropology of Motherhood (AoM): Aesthetics of Care Art Exhibition is a three-week art show in which artists explore what it means to aestheticize acts of care through translating personal, collective, and political gestures into visual, auditory, and tactile forms. Care exists at the intersection of art, labor, and love. It encompasses the unseen and often undervalued work of nurturing others, from parenting and elder care to community support and self-care. AoM: Aesthetics of Care asks: how do we render care visible? What does it mean to aestheticize acts of care—to translate these deeply personal, collective, and political gestures into visual, auditory, or tactile forms? How do cultural practices and traditions shape our understanding of care? What are the tensions between the visibility and invisibility of caregiving labor? How does care intersect with identity, race, gender, class, and other social factors? In what ways can art serve as an act of care, fostering connection and healing? How can we reimagine care systems and economies through artistic expression?
