Welcome to the newest gallery in JAC’s Gallery of the Month series, where we showcase a wide range of art and writing under unique monthly themes. Check back on the first of each month for a new collection of works by the talented artists in the JAC network. To view past galleries of the month, see our Gallery Archive.
Please fill out this form if you are interested in utilizing images from the galleries or portfolios for your own purposes. If you would like to connect with any of the featured artists, contact us. We ask that you do not utilize any of the artwork you see here without requesting permission to do so. We strongly believe that artists should have full agency over their work, so we do not share it with other entities without their consent.
This March, in honor of Women’s History Month, we are featuring pieces by the incredible women in JAC’s artist network. The global community has a long way to go before achieving true gender equality, as misogyny still pervades many parts of modern society, including the art world. For example, women make up 46% of artists nationwide, yet remain underrepresented in many art professions. A recent study of 18 major U.S. museums found that 87% of the featured artists are male and 85% are white.
Women also represent the fastest-growing incarcerated population in the United States. According to the ACLU, just 4% of the world’s female population lives in this country, yet nearly one-third of all female prisoners in the entire world are held here. More than half of all women in US prisons and jails (56%) are incarcerated for drug or property offenses, and Black women are two times as likely to be incarcerated as white women.
Women’s History Month commemorates the vital role of women in history and honors the achievements and struggles of all women, including trans women, in the United States. It is important that this month and every month we continue to make strides towards equal representation in the art world and everywhere.
We are extremely proud to have so many talented women in the JAC network and are excited to be able to share some of their amazing work with you.
We hope you enjoy this month’s gallery: A Celebration of Women Artists
Bittersweet Alphabet by Deidra Rose Vincer AKA Twitch As adventurous as life may seem Bittersweet is the taste that lingers Counterfiet as people are Don’t judge anyone by their exterior Eventually death finds us all For we are all the same within Going is tough and tough is the going Hearts will be broke so Inhale the good in life because Joyful memories are the least remembered Keep a wall around your heart for Love is the most dangerous venture into Madness’ ever ending fate. No-body is going to make it out alive regardless Overcome and grow Protect yourself and learn to Quiet the ever quaking aches consuming Reach of conjoined pasts imperishably present. The Steady layering of intimacies Toxic Utopian dream Vandalized by envies Wordless language Xerox my soul within Yellow is the jaundice daydream Zippered-up are my never ending emotions.
Anywhere but here by Julie Spencer I have in mind A wonder-filled place. Unsurpassed By the whole human race. Magical dreams Sprout out your wishes. Places to eat That requires no dishes. Barbeque chicken, rotisserie. Eating alone, with my friend, Cherie. A queen-sized bed where we both sleep Dance lesson where I don't miss a beat. I have a studio, an office, a plane. I venture out in a gentle rain. My 5-ft pool sparkles at night. My Landcruiser is so outta sight. Drawing and painting To my heart's content. Writing new poems That are heaven-sent.
Evenings of Immortality by Rachel Peterson To the nights of existential bliss when the universe is at your fingertips & the beyond speaks to your soul. Pain is Relieved through the breath of the trees & the stars dance in glitter & gold.
Will I Be alone by Jamie Selkey As I sit alone In my cell each night, No one to talk to, Not a soul in sight… Not a friend to write, No family to call, No one around, To catch me if I fall… 12 lonely years now, I was a mother, and a wife, Now alone here in prison, This has become my life… I wait each night at mail call, But never hear my name, I can't be mad at them, I’m the one to blame… I did my crime, On that vivid day, I’m the one, Who took my freedom away… So here I sit alone, As tears run down my face, Because no matter what I do, The memories don’t erase… Yet one day I’ll walk out, These gates that keep me here, But will I still be alone, It is my Biggest fear…
My Soul by Jennifer Diaz
My Soul
Has taken a vacation.
hitched a ride
somewhere peaceful and quiet
maybe the mountains
I
haven’t seen it in years.
Perhaps its deserted
me permanently.
I should feel bad, but i
CAN’T
muster sympathy
for the living dead girl.
who is me. Dike. Gay.
Soulless. You’ll
FIND
the ultimate meaning
of that term
in the eyes of every girl
forced by circumstances to
SACRIFICE
the truth of herself.
I keep digging
for truth
but can’t seem to find it
IN ME
Do you have an idea for a future gallery of the month? Submit your suggestions here.
