Image Description: “Call for Art” in bright orange font, “Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Awareness” underneath in complimentary blue. “Bridging the Gap” in blue wrap around the central square image area on both the left and right sides, vertically scrolling up and down. The central 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 are psychadelic splashes of bright orange, pink, and yellow flowers with petals that spread like puddles and frame the woman and baby. Below the image partners “Anthropology of Motherhood, DC Breastfeeding Coalition, and Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Collective” are listed in blue. At the bottom, “Deadline April 30, 2026” is in bright orange.
CALL FOR ART
Bridging the Gap
Deadline for submissions: April 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 May 15, 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.
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).
Anthropology of Motherhood is an interdisciplinary project and exhibition platform that seeks to create spaces for dialogue, reflection, and innovation on caregiving, motherhood, and the cultural narratives surrounding these experiences. By showcasing diverse artistic voices, we aim to deepen our collective understanding of the roles care and caregiving play in shaping our world.
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.
