Call for entry: Black Mermaids
September 28, 2008 by Noreen Crone-Findlay
Filed under Creativity, crafts, doll and dolls and dollmaking
Mermaid and Merwomen in Black Folklore
A juried exhibition for art quilters/ doll artists, February 20–March
31, 2009, Avery Research Institute Center for African American
History & Culture at the College of Charleston
Description
Some of the first tales of mermaids and merwomen were brought to
America by Africans enslaved along the coast of South Carolina. Many
of these folktales were stories of African ocean and river goddesses.
Because of the rich oral traditions of these peoples, few if any of
these stories were written down until they were recorded by
collectors of folk tales at the end of the 19th century.
You are invited to share your visual interpretation of a Black
Mermaid/Merwoman in an art doll or art quilt.
SPECIFICATIONS
We are seeking work that is original and innovative. No kits,
quilts or dolls made in a workshop with the aid of an instructor.
Quilt must be multi-layered and joined by stitching. Dimension in
any direction must not exceed 50 inches. Dolls may not exceed 32
inches in height. If dolls are to be displayed on a stand, the
artist will be responsible for providing the stand. If dolls are to
be mounted on the wall please make sure it has the necessary hanging
apparatus. We welcome both small and large works. Only quilts/dolls
created after December 31, 2006 are eligible. Preliminary acceptance
will be granted based on the acceptance digital images. Final
acceptance will be granted upon the receipt and examination of
quilts/dolls. We reserve the right to omit from the exhibition
accepted quilts/dolls that do not contain the same qualities as the
submitted images. The exhibition coordinators’ decision is final.
Calendar :
Deadline of entry receipt
Tuesday, January 20, 2009:
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 notification by e-mail of acceptance
Accepted works posted online at
February 10, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Shipping instructions will be e-mailed
Tuesday February 17, 2009 -February 19, 2009
Works accepted at Avery Research Institute Center for African
American History & Culture at the College of Charleston
(quilts/dolls will not be accepted prior to February 12, 2009
Opening reception Saturday February 21, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. Avery
Research Institute Center for African American History & Culture
at the College of Charleston , Charleston, South Carolina
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Exhibition closes
April 1 through April 5, 2009
Return of non-touring works
