Freedom's Journey

Freedom's Journey: A Juried Art Exhibition presented by the New England Black Artists Collective (NEBAC) at the Krikorian Gallery, Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA

The New England Black Artists Collective (NEBAC) invites creatives particularly those with lived experience as members of the African Diaspora to submit works of any medium in response the 200th anniversary of Freedom’s Journal – America’s first African American owned and operated newspaper.

Artists are asked to consider what “Freedom’s Journey” meant to the original readers of the paper or to contemplate what it means today as we revisit many of the same issues. For example, what does freedom look like to you, personally, to your community, your family? What did it look like to your forbears? Are there images of the paper’s reader that come to mind? Who have you looked to as a leader in the journey to freedom? What has deferred attainment of this goal?

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Freedom's Journey: A Juried Art Exhibition presented by the New England Black Artists Collective (NEBAC) at the Krikorian Gallery, Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA
 

The New England Black Artists Collective (NEBAC) invites creatives particularly those with lived experience as members of the African Diaspora to submit works of any medium in response the 200thanniversary of Freedom’s Journal – America’s first African American owned and operated newspaper.

Published in New York City and distributed internationally from 1827 to 1829, Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm established the newspaper in response to the exclusion and misrepresentation of Black Americans in the mainstream press.

In addition to publishing literary works by African Americans, Freedom’s Journal reported on local, national and international developments related to and/or effecting the freedom of Blacks throughout the African diaspora.

Artists are asked to consider what “Freedom’s Journey” meant to the original readers of the paper or to contemplate what it means today as we revisit many of the same issues. For example, what does freedom look like to you, personally, to your community, your family? What did it look like to your forbears? Are there images of the paper’s reader that come to mind? Who have you looked to as a leader in the journey to freedom? What has deferred attainment of this goal?

We encourage submissions from visual artists of any medium--sculptors, photographers, mixed media creators, interdisciplinary artists.

For reference, a digitized sample from the publication is available here:

 https://collections.americanantiquarian.org/earlyamericannewsmedia/exhibits/show/news-in-antebellum-america/item/93

https://jtoaa.americanantiquarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/theresa_haytien.pdf

 NEBAC is a gathering of visual artists residing in one of the six New England states. Our mission is to advance the practice and visibility of artists of the African diaspora. Members include filmmakers, photographers, painters, enamellists, and doll artists—in short, their work represents the fullness and richness of the Black creative spirit. https://www.nebac.org

 The Krikorian Gallery is a modern, 1,000 square feet gallery space located at the Worcester Center for Crafts.

Submissions will be juried by:

• Toby Sisson—Associate Professor and Director of the Visual Arts Program at Clark University
• Deborah Hall—Founder and Director of the Worcester Black History Project, Art Patron
• Candace Casey, Gallery Director, Krikorian Gallery at the Worcester Center for Crafts

Jurors will select the best of show with a $500 cash prize, and two honorable mentions.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• The submission deadline is December 1, 2026
• Artists will be notified by January 3, 2027
• Jury results will be announced by January 6, 2027
• Work will need to be in house by January 16, 2027 (delivered or mailed with return postage)
• The show will be on view February 1 - February 28, 2027

Submissions from visual artists of any medium--sculptors, photographers, mixed media creators, interdisciplinary artists.

• You are to submit up to 5 pieces of work
• Submit a 150 - 250 word artist statement and a statement relative to the works and how they relate to the theme.
• New or existing work should be engaging and reflect the exhibit theme.
• Maximum size for textiles 88”x90” (display to be finalized with gallery)
• Maximum size for other works 65”x60”
• Selected work for walls must be ready to hang with wire (NOT Alligators)