"Mermaid and Merwomen in Black Folklore" Call for Quilters and Doll Artists!

Here is a call for art for quilters and doll artists. This has come from the Avery Research Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Straight from the website.

"A juried exhibition for art quilters/ doll artists, February 20–March 31, 2009, at the Avery Research Center for African American History & Culture at the College of Charleston

DESCRIPTION
Enslaved Africans along the coast of South Carolina brought some of the first tales of mermaids and merwomen to America. Many of these folktales were stories of African ocean and river goddesses. Because of the rich oral traditions of these peoples, few if any of these stories were written until they were recorded by collectors of folk tales toward the end of the 19th century. You are invited to share your visual interpretation of these myths by creating a Black Mermaid/Merwoman in an art doll or art quilt.

SPECIFICATIONS
We are seeking work that is original and innovative. No kits, quilts or dolls made in a workshop with the aid of an instructor. Quilt must be multi-layered and joined by stitching. Dimension in any direction must not exceed 50 inches.

Dolls may not exceed 32 inches in height. If dolls are to be displayed on a stand, the artist will be responsible for providing the stand. If dolls are to be mounted on the wall please make sure it has the necessary hanging apparatus. We welcome both small and large works. Only quilts/dolls created after December 31, 2006 are eligible. Preliminary acceptance will be granted based on the acceptance digital images. Final acceptance will be granted upon the receipt and examination of quilts/dolls. We reserve the right to omit from the exhibition accepted quilts/dolls that do not contain the same qualities as the submitted images. The exhibition coordinators’ decision is final.

For more information check out: http://www.cofc.edu/avery/mermaid_merwomen.html

April 2009 Exhibition Opens
Florence Museum of the Arts, History and Science
Florence, South Carolina
April 2009 - May 31, 2009
Opening reception TBA

"Mermaid and Merwomen in Black Folklore” will tour as venues allow."