Wistariahurst is a cultural and educational center owned and operated by the City of Holyoke. It is a museum, a place for exhibits, talks and presentations and music. It is a rich source of information about the city’s history.

The archives are managed by Penny Martorell, the curator and chief historian. Its director, Megan Seiler, gave us a tour this week.

This month, for Black History Month, there is a exhibit about the Jim Crow Era that may have seen the emancipation of enslaved Blacks, but did not offer freedom to them, not the freedom to vote, to get an education and more evils the country is recovering from to this day.

Next month, the museum will present an exhibit for Women’s History Month. Wistariahurst is seeking submissions from artists who identify as female and non-binary in a celebratory show for Women’s History Month in March. The theme, The Body/The Self, asks artists to submit works that grapple with the relationship between the body and the self. The physical body is often policed or politicized, especially for women and those who don’t subscribe to any binary concept of gender.

Artists should consider how their artwork engages the relationship between the physical and the conceptual body and self. Requirements: Artists are asked to submit three to four works that will address the theme, The Body/The Self, in any medium. Artists are also required to submit an Artist Bio (150 words) and an Artist Statement (300 words). The Artist Statement must include a narrative of how their submitted works follow the show’s theme.

In art submissions, please include the work’s title, date, medium, and size. Submissions need to be in PDF format with the artist statement first with each work on their own page. Submissions are due February 13, 2023, at 5:00pm to roldanj@holyoke.org. The jury will be made up of museum staff, local artists, and a community member. The jury will select 4-5 artists to show in March. Each participant will receive a $100 stipend for their participation.

**Artists of all backgrounds and levels are encouraged to apply**

More information here.