Independence for Whom: Amplifying Voices, Honoring Histories

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, we face a challenging question: Independence for whom? Women and marginalized groups continue to fight for representation, recognition, and equity in every arena. Rights and freedoms that our forebears struggled to obtain are being systematically stripped away. Our stories are suppressed, our voices are muted, and our contributions are marginalized.

This milestone of American independence from colonial rule provides an opportunity to confront the legacy of inequity and reimagine independence as a shared promise. What kind of world can we create when we are all truly free? The Women’s Caucus for Art invites all women-identified artists in the United States to submit work that amplifies our narratives, addressing themes such as:

• Freedom and Equity: What does independence truly mean, and for whom?
• Resilience and Resistance: Representations of struggle, survival, and strength.
• Voices of the Marginalized: Perspectives often overlooked in history and society.

Approximately 50 works will be featured in a juried exhibition June 20 to August 8, 2026, at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA. This unique setting, once a suffragist prison and now a vibrant arts space, highlights the enduring legacy of women’s voices and the transformative power of art. An opening reception will be held July 11, 2026, from 6 – 8pm ET.

We invite you to join us in amplifying voices, celebrating stories of independence, and using art to inspire transformative changes. Together, we will challenge the status quo and redefine what independence means in the 21st Century.

Visit workhousearts.org to learn more about this historic venue and support its mission to inspire and connect people through the transformative power of art.

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