“Art is nothing new in New Bedford. What’s new, especially in visual art, is exhibiting artists with star power.”
Cait McQuaid, Boston Globe Contributor
Open Call for Art
Being Seen: Celebrating SouthCoast Pride
Be part of a new, traveling public art exhibition — ALL ARE WELCOME TO SUBMIT!
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Celebrate Pride with SouthCoast Massachusetts! We’re producing a community-made public art piece and need your help. The collective artwork will be first displayed in June 2025 on the facade of New Bedford City Hall, then travel to prominent locations across the SouthCoast, including:
City Hall, New Bedford — June 2025
UMass Dartmouth CVPA — September 2025
Marion Art Center — February 2026
Fall River, MA — June 2026
WHO CAN SUBMIT?
ALL ARE WELCOME! We’re calling all LGBTQIA+ folks, allies, friends, and families to participate.
WHEN TO SUBMIT
Submissions will be accepted between Feb 1 – May 14, 2025
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Inspired by the historical significance and visual history of Pride posters and signs in LGBTQIA+ culture, this public art project asks participants to:
“SHARE YOUR PRIDE”
Exhibit your creative talents and help us create a meaningful celebration of Pride for the whole SouthCoast community!
This design concept was created in collaboration with a group of UMass Dartmouth CVPA graduate and post-bacc students. Special thanks to the core design group:
Allison Morones, Kiana Radcliffe, Arghavan Booyeh, Zahra Shahi, Sara Valinezhad, Mitra Ponthan, & Azin Majooni; and faculty advisors Paula Becker, Lu Xu, Ann B. Kim, and Lara Henderson.
Special thanks to the Creative Director & Advisor to this initiative:
Liz Collins, American contemporary artist and designer based in NYC. Learn more about Liz Collins and view her portfolio at their website.
Design Parameters
- Handmade panels & digital files for print submissions accepted.
- We are seeking abstract designs using a monochromatic color scheme. High saturated, vivid colors, or bold imagery are recommended.
- No sewing experience necessary.
- Materials: Choose most any fabric or supplies you have at home, or visit DATMA or CVPA to pickup materials (location & hours below). Soft/ flexible mixed media materials are welcome such as textile-based materials and durable paper (where sheets of wood or metal will not work- too heavy). Paint or spray your mixed-media materials with a sealant for weather proofing. Sew, staple, bind, glue down all materials so they are not loose or flapping.
- Select medium-weight, non-stretch fabrics and materials durable for outdoor display. Panels should be able to handle weather impacts for a 1-2 week outdoor duration.
- Each panel is 6.5′ x 6.5′ x 9.2′ — we encourage you to make a full square by creating two triangle panels, but submitting 1 panel is great!
- Submissions using language and imagery should celebrate and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community, fostering inclusivity, respect, positivity, and Pride.
- If your design includes text, be thoughtful in your approach. Neutral words only. There are many regulations prohibiting “signs” on civic property. If you are confused or unsure your text choice will be approved, consider a different design approach. If you submit content that is not neutral, your design will be at risk of not being included at Site 1, New Bedford City Hall. See note about text below.
- Designs must avoid offensive, hateful, negative, or discriminatory content and comply with all local signage regulations to ensure they align with civic property guidelines. Sorry folks, designs may not incorporate imagery of body organs unless it’s very abstract and not obvious to anyone but you, the artist.
- It is recommended to be sure any important aspects of your design such as text and imagery are inside of a 4″ border “safe zone” on your panel. This will ensure that all of your design is visible when the panels are installed (safe zone shown below in light blue).
- Individual and group submissions welcome.
- All levels of creativity are welcome. You do not have to be an art professional to submit.
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Design a Pride Panel in your own style!
What to include with your submission:
- Name
- Township
- Description of submission
- Mailing Address
- Social Media (optional)
- Mailing Address
Assembling a Handmade Panel
- Sail cloth backing panels are available to everyone. You may pick-up a pre-cut panel at DATMA & CVPA (location & hours below).
- Any panels submitted out of your own backing or delicate materials will be subject to be attached via grommets to a sail cloth backing to be displayed the as part of the whole project. (Basically, if your panel is too stretchy, we will carefully attach it to a backing we know will not stretch.)
Some potential techniques that can be used when putting together your design:
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Applique: Sew, weave, or adhere fabric, letters, and small mementos onto a fabric background.
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Paint: Brush or textile paint, acrylics, permanent marker, or spray paint all work.
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Collage: Create objects in fabric and sew/adhere them onto the panel. Make sure any materials you add won’t tear the fabric.
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Stencil: 3D-print or hand cut your stencil; apply to fabric using paint, permanent marker, spray paint, or other lasting materials.
DROPOFF LOCATIONS
Please drop off your panels & submission form to any of the following locations between
February 1st -May 14th:
DATMA Office
1213 Purchase St. Suite 206
New Bedford, MA 02740
Business hours: 10am – 5pm M-F
Contact staff if you can before dropping off: Ph:774-264-3696 – or – [email protected]
UMass Dartmouth, CVPA
Art & Design Studio
458 State Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747
Business hours: 8am – 5pm M-F
The building guards will help direct you.
Submitting a Digital Design
PRINT OR EMAIL US YOUR DESIGN
- Create a digital design and print it on canvas, fabric, or paper & deliver to one of the dropoff locations listed above.
- Contact DATMA if you need assistance printing & submit your design via email to [email protected].
IMAGE RESOLUTION
- Your design template should be sized to 78” (6.5 feet) wide
- Ideal Image size for high resolution printing: 23,4000 x 23,4000 pixels at 300dpi
- For optimal print quality, we highly recommend using images at 300 dpi. Higher resolution images result in sharper and more professional-looking prints.
- If you’re uploading photography or non-vector artwork (e.g., JPEGs, PNGs), be sure your images are minimum 96 dpi at full template size.
EXPORTING FOR PRINT
- Export your design with 1″-2″ bleed + make sure that your background extends to fill the bleed to avoid your banner having white edges when trimmed.
- Edit and save your file in CMYK
- Save as high resolution file
- Confirm that any important aspects of your design such as text and imagery are inside of a 4-inch border “safe zone.” This will ensure that all of your design will be visible when printed and attached
Each .PSD Adobe template below has further instruction and guides to view upon download:
Explore LGBTQIA+ Design Archives for Ideas & Inspiration
We encourage you to explore these additional online resources:
Stonewall and Its Impact on the Gay Liberation Movement – Digital Public Library of America
National AIDS Memorial
ONE Archives at USC Libraries — Posters from LGBTQ Civil Rights Struggles
The LGBTQ+ Studies Web Archive — Library of Congress
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the submission deadline?
Submissions are accepted from February 1 to May 14, 2025. OR April 30th for design file submissions.
Where do I submit my work?
You can drop off your panel design and submission form at the following locations:
1. DATMA Office: 1213 Purchase St., Suite 206, New Bedford, MA
2. UMass Dartmouth CVPA Art & Design Studio: 458 State Road, Dartmouth, MA
What is this project about?
This is a collaborative effort to create a community-made public art piece celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride. The artwork will debut in June 2025 at New Bedford City Hall and travel to locations across the SouthCoast.
Who can participate?
Anyone! We welcome contributions from LGBTQIA+ individuals, allies, families, and friends. No sewing or prior art experience is necessary.
What materials can I use?
You can use most fabrics and supplies available at home, or pick up sailcloth backing panels and materials from DATMA or UMass Dartmouth CVPA. Medium-weight, non-stretch fabrics are recommended for durability.
Is there a cost to participate or pick up materials from DATMA or UMass Dartmouth?
No, participation is free, and sailcloth backing panels and other materials are available for pick-up at no cost from DATMA or UMass Dartmouth CVPA.
Can I work as part of a group?
Yes, both individual and group submissions are welcome.
How big should my panel be?
Each panel should be 6.5 feet by 6.5 feet. You’re encouraged to create a full square, but submitting one panel is also an option.
Can I submit a digital design?
Yes! Digital designs should be 78 inches wide at 300 dpi resolution, exported in CMYK with a 1-2 inch bleed. Contact DATMA if you need assistance printing. Submit file(s) to Amanda Hawkins at Email: [email protected] by April 30th for design file submissions.
What are the design guidelines?
Designs should celebrate and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community using vivid colors, bold imagery, and large text visible from a distance. Ensure key elements stay within a 4-inch border for visibility.
How will my panel be connected to all the other panels?
All panels will have grommets riveted through the boarder area of the design, which is why we ask you to give your panel(s) a 4 inch edge. DATMA’s installation team will be handling this part, so don’t worry about adding your grommets in advance.
What should I include with my submission?
- Your name
- Township
- A description of the piece
- Email and mailing address
- Social media handles (optional)
- Mailing address
Will participants be acknowledged in the final display or promotional materials?
Yes, contributors will be acknowledged. Names of participants may be included in promotional materials, exhibition signage, and online platforms, depending on how they opt to share their information on the submission form.
Can I sign my name on the panel(s) I create?
Yes, of course!
Will there be workshops or events to help participants get started on their designs?
Yes, workshops and design support events will be scheduled to assist participants in brainstorming ideas, learning techniques, and starting their panels. Details about these events will be posted on DATMA’s website and social media channels closer to the submission period. Be sure to follow us on instagram, check our events page regularly, and sign up for our Newsletter below. All DATMA workshops are 100% free to the participants. We will have materials & tools to share, while we encourage you to bring your own.
How are the final submissions reviewed or approved for the project?
Submissions will be reviewed to ensure they meet the design guidelines, including inclusivity, respectfulness, and durability for outdoor display. DATMA staff and collaborating partners will confirm that submissions align with the project’s vision and civic property guidelines before inclusion in the final installation.
Where can I find LGBTQIA+ resources in SouthCoast Massachusetts?
There are several excellent local organizations supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in the SouthCoast area. Two notable groups include:
- New Bedford Queer Arts Council: A collective of artists and creatives working to support and celebrate LGBTQIA+ art and culture in New Bedford.
- South Coast LGBTQ+ Network: A regional organization dedicated to building and supporting a thriving LGBTQIA+ community across the SouthCoast.
Who do I contact with questions about this project?
Amanda Hawkins
Education & Public Programs Manager at DATMA
Email: [email protected] or call PH 774-264-3696.
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