Portraits of First-Generation Identity in Higher Education

The lives and experiences of students, families, faculty and professional staff who identify as first-generation are the subject of increased attention in higher education across the United States. The success of programs, initiatives, and interventions mostly focus on measurable student “outcomes” but may often miss the complicated narratives of aspiration, sacrifice, accomplishment and identity work first-generation students, families, faculty, staff and communities navigate.  Portraiture can make visible the triumphs and challenges of being first in the family in higher educational spaces. This juried exhibition invites artists to submit works that interpret the first-generation college experience through portraiture and welcomes portraits made in a variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, textiles, video, performance, and time-based media.

Entry Requirements:

• Subject of the work must identify as first-generation (A first-generation college student is the first member of their family to attend college or a student whose parents/guardians may have some college but have not attained a baccalaureate degree in the U.S.)
• Each artist may enter up to three works.
• Submissions must be entered through CAFÉ: (https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=12225) and should include: artist statement, images/media of piece, artist bio and entry fee.
• Entry fee is $30 for 3 artworks
• Mediums accepted include: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, textiles, video, performance, and time-based media.
• Shipping/drop off of accepted work to Monmouth University is the responsibility of artist

Presentation Guidelines:

• Only artwork of professional presentation will be accepted.
• Wall-hung items must be professionally framed
• Pictures must use sturdy wire as the hanging medium. No saw-tooth hangers or metal eyelets accepted. Frames must be free of defects.
• Three-dimensional works must be stable to stand on their own or be submitted with adequate display stands.
• Three dimensional artwork cannot exceed 5’h x 3’w and not weigh more than 75 pounds. The call for entries closes at midnight on December 1, 2023. Participants will be notified by December 15. The show will run in Monmouth University’s Pollak Gallery from January 16 – March 8, 2024 with an opening reception on January 19 from 5-7 pm.