Mail art as protest - call for submissions

Event Details

Time: March 24, 2025 to August 25, 2025
Location: Richmond VA
Street: 1819 National Street
City/Town: Richmond VA 23231
Event Type: proposal, for, international, mail, art, show:, mail art as protest
Organized By: Beth Allums
Latest Activity: May 12

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Event Description

Mail art has long served as a medium of creative resistance, a way to challenge power structures, amplify marginalized voices, and connect activists across borders. "Mail Art as Protest" aims to be a global exhibition that invites artists to use the postal system as a platform for dissent, critique, and social change. The show will feature mailed submissions from artists worldwide, creating a vibrant and thought-provoking display of political, environmental, and social issues.

Concept and Theme:
This exhibition explores the power of mail art as an act of resistance. Whether addressing issues of climate justice, human rights, racial and gender equality, anti-war movements, or other forms of protest, artists are encouraged to engage with the theme through diverse mediums such as postcards, collage, rubber stamps, zines, and experimental mail formats.

Submission Guidelines:

Open to all artists, activists, and creatives worldwide.

Any medium that can be mailed, including postcards, envelopes, artistamp sheets, small sculptures, and mixed media.

No returns; all submissions become part of the exhibition and, potentially, a permanent archive.

No censorship: all voices are welcome within the bounds of respect and legality.

Submissions must include artist name, country of origin, and optional statement.

Exhibition Format:

All works received will be displayed in a gallery setting arranged to highlight global perspectives and diverse creative voices. (gallery details and dates are still in negotiation - will be updated) ,

A digital archive will be created to ensure accessibility beyond the physical exhibition.

Selected works may be featured in an accompanying zine or catalog.

Interactive elements may include live mail-art making sessions, workshops, and discussions on art as activism.

Timeline:

Call for Submissions opens: April 1 2025

Submission Deadline: TBD

Exhibition Opening: TBD

Venue and Location:
Richmond Virginia (Potential for touring exhibition or pop-up displays in multiple cities.)

Curatorial Vision:
Elizabeth Allums, an advocate for creative activism, envisions this exhibition as a platform where art and activism merge through the intimate yet radical act of postal exchange. By reviving and celebrating the tradition of mail art, "Mail Art as Protest" will serve as a space for dialogue, disruption, and global solidarity.

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Comment by Beth Allums on May 12, 2025 at 1:25pm: Update! I have partnered with a friend who has built a mobile gallery on wheels - The Cocoon. We will be showing the exhibit at the First Friday event in September at Richmond's Gallery 5 - with intent to show at other events as well. I will be posting more updates as the project develops!

Comment by Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat) on May 5, 2025 at 1:46pm: coming soon from Greece:

Comment by MUSEUM OF MAIL ART on May 5, 2025 at 11:35am: https://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mail-art-as-protest

Comment by Juan Petry on May 5, 2025 at 7:56am: where i can find the postal address? any link of further information online?

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