Being/Seen – An Open Call for Art - The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (Due Apr. 6)
Being/Seen – An Open Call for Art - The August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Deadline: April 6th, 2025
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center invites artists of African descent living in the Greater Pittsburgh area to submit their work for Being/Seen, a group exhibition, opening May 2025. Selected artwork will be on display at The August Wilson African American Culture Center 1st floor galleries, including the Victoria Gallery and Yvonne Cook Family Regional Gallery. The group exhibition will run concurrently with Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden, the first major retrospective of prolific twentieth century African American sculptor John W. Rhoden (1916-2001).
The concept of “being seen” (being recognized, being acknowledged) is also an integral theme and impetus of Determined to Be in that despite being an artist who maintained an active international career and garnered many fellowships, awards, and commissions, John Rhoden’s work has never been the subject of a major solo exhibition and his name went largely unknown until now.
Our group exhibition, Being/Seen, invites artists to not only explore what it means when Black art and history is erased or undervalued in the context of exhibitions, but also this call for art invites an exploration of feelings when Black art history is recognized, validated, and celebrated. Acting as a bridge between the Pittsburgh arts community and the life, legacy, and works of John W. Rhoden, artwork selected for Being/Seen will also express ideas of form, figurative abstraction, spirituality, iconography, migration, and global Black identity. Inspired by Rhoden’s artistic legacy, this group exhibition urges artists to consider how visibility and representation shape our connection to one another and can lead to collective joy and strength. We encourage artists to submit new or existing work that engages with these themes and reflects your personal experience or perspective on Being/Seen.
Themes for Exploration
Being Seen: The powerful feeling of being recognized, accepted, and valued for who you are.
Connection & Community: The strength of being connected to others, and finding belonging within a shared space.
Visibility: The journey of being authentically known, accepted, supported, validated, and empowered in your unique identity.