ACCESS: An Ordinary Notion
An exhibition of artworks inspired by
Alice Paul and the Equal Rights Amendment
Saturday, June 15 - Saturday, July 13, 2024
Arc Studios & Gallery in San Francisco, CA
ACCESS: An Ordinary Notion, a national juried exhibition, is proud to present artworks that tell individual stories and advocate for social justice and human rights. Inspired by Alice Paul who introduced the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923, this potent collection showcases art in all media that speak to and illuminate the ongoing conversation around race, women's and LGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive rights, disparities in global wealth, power, access to food, water, shelter, education, health services, disability access, child and elder care, along with immigration issues, climate change, and criminal (in)justice in the modern world. NCWCA is proud to announce that the Alice Paul Institute and the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House are partnering with us for this meaningful and timely National Juried Exhibition!
It has been 100 years since the introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). This exhibition is in honor of Alice Paul, suffragist, who re-wrote the amendment in 1943 expanding the language to be more in line with recently passed legislation. The amendment states, ‘Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.’ The ERA has yet to be ratified and the struggle for equal access to fundamental human rights continues. Artwork can act as a conduit in our collective determination for rights that should never be exclusive or for the privileged, but instead are interrelated, interdependent, and indivisible for all. The work in this exhibition is intended to spark meaningful discussion, inspiring us to create visions for a new, more inclusive, and just society.
VENUE & HOURS
Arc Gallery & Studios, Project Gallery
1246 Folsom Street,
San Francisco, CA 94103
www.arc-sf.com
[email protected]
Arc Gallery is open 1-6PM on Wednesdays & Thursdays and 12-3PM on Saturdays. Viewing by appointment is also available.
Online Gallery
www.ncwca.org (precise page TBD)
EVENTS (ACCESS Exhibition and Events are free, and located at Arc Gallery, 1246 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94103)
In-Person Panel and Pre-Reception Event: Saturday, June 15, 3-5 PM
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 15, 7-9 PM
Online Artist Talk: Thursday, June 20, 2024, 7-8 PM PDT
In-person Curatorial Tour: Sunday, June 23, 2024, 1:30-3:30 PM
Music & Poetry Event: Sunday, July 7, 6-8 PM
Featured Gallery Artists
Wendy Ackrell, Susan Amorde, Salma Arastu, Carol Benioff, Jo Ann Block, Lorraine Bonner, Cynthia Brannvall, Mague Calanche, Marie Cameron, Gwendolen Cates, Joanne Chase-Mattillo, Sonja Czekalski, Emilie Dashe, Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja, Nimisha Doongarwal, Jessica Duby, Myra Eastman, Sally Edelstein, Somaya Etemad, Theresa Giammattei, Stacey Gregory, Tali Grinshpan, Ellen Gust, Deborah Hirshfield, Judith Hopkins, Sarah Horowitz, Quinn Keck, Kathleen King, Grace Kresback, Krisztina Lazar, Karen LeCocq, Billi London-Gray, Annie Marini-Genzon, Elizabeth Medrano, Shanna Merola, Rosemary Meza-DesPlas, Laura Morrison & Gail Smuda, Kailin Nielsen, Priscilla Otani, Vida Pavesich, Elaine Pawlowicz, Barbara Pollak-Lewis, Remedios Rapoport, Clara Jeanne Reed, Sondra Schwetman, Victoria Senn, Nina Sidneva, Barbara Sizelove, Anne Skaug, Adrienne Sloane, Deena Smith, Irene Suh, Rachel Tirosh, Li Turner, Winnie van der Rijn, Diane Warner-Wang, Mira M White, and Tanya Wilkinson.
Online Exhibition Artists
Laura Abrams, Minoo Amini, Kelly Burke, Saranya Chandrasekaran, Christine Cianci, Isabella Covert, Shannon O’Neill Creighton, Paula deJoie, Michelle Echenique, Sally Edelstein, Marguerite Elliot, Corinne Farago, Theresa Giammattei, Rinat Goren, Laura Green, Ellen Gust, Kelly Hartigan Goldstein, Hedy Herrera, Kelsey Jones, Kay Kang, Kayla Kirsch, Shannon Knowlton, Kristina Lenzi, Roberta Levitow, Suki Liebow, Penny Mateer, Juliet Mevi, Cristin Millett, Ellen November, Elaine Pawlowicz, Laura Phelps Rogers, Pamela Pitt, Larraine Seiden, Durba Sen, Michele Serchuk, Mary Shisler, Dobee Snowber, Fleur Spolidor, Eliza Thomas, Hwei-Li Tsao, Lin Wei, and Jane Zich.
Exhibition Director
Elizabeth Addison, MFA, NCWCA Exhibitions Chair, Visual Artist, Educator, Curator
Jurors
Elizabeth Addison, MFA, NCWCA Exhibitions Chair, Visual Artist, Educator, Curator
Karen M. Gutfreund, Independent Curator, Consultant, Artist
Meghan Lewis MacLeod, Ph.D., Ecofeminist Artist, Creative Arts-based Counselor, WCA LGBTQ+ Pod Leader
A Selection of Artworks in ACCESS
To view the complete gallery of artworks go here
About the Alice Paul Institute

The Alice Paul Institute builds contemporary action and intergenerational movement for gender justice through the lens of history and of place.
In 1984, a group of advocates for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) decided to ensure that the 1985 centennial of the birth of Alice Paul, the author of the ERA, would be appropriately commemorated. They founded the Alice Paul Centennial Foundation, then created a slate of leadership programs for girls and purchased an important collection of Paul’s papers and artifacts. Eventually, they were also offered the opportunity to acquire Paul’s childhood home, Paulsdale, saving the house and property from development. Today, as the Alice Paul Institute, the organization continues to educate and empower girls and young women to view themselves as leaders, encourage civic engagement, preserve Paulsdale, and advocate for the passage of the ERA which, when enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, will give legal and lasting equal protections to people of all genders. https://www.alicepaul.org/equal-rights-amendment-2/
In 1984, a group of advocates for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) decided to ensure that the 1985 centennial of the birth of Alice Paul, the author of the ERA, would be appropriately commemorated. They founded the Alice Paul Centennial Foundation, then created a slate of leadership programs for girls and purchased an important collection of Paul’s papers and artifacts. Eventually, they were also offered the opportunity to acquire Paul’s childhood home, Paulsdale, saving the house and property from development. Today, as the Alice Paul Institute, the organization continues to educate and empower girls and young women to view themselves as leaders, encourage civic engagement, preserve Paulsdale, and advocate for the passage of the ERA which, when enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, will give legal and lasting equal protections to people of all genders. https://www.alicepaul.org/equal-rights-amendment-2/
About the Susan B. Anthony Museum

The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House interprets the great reformer’s vision and story, preserves and shares her National Historic Landmark home and headquarters, collects and exhibits artifacts related to her life and work, and offers tours and interpretive programs to inspire and challenge individuals to make a positive difference. https://susanb.org/