Our vision:
The Baltimore chapter of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) is seeking submissions for an art exhibit titled "Cesarean Voices." The exhibit will be the first of its kind in the country and will be an exploration of the issues surrounding cesarean birth. It would also serve to help educate the public to the reality that cesareans can have profoundly negative physical and emotional consequences for women and those close to them.

The objective:
Our goal is to hold the exhibit in Baltimore beginning with an opening reception to include the public, medical community and the media. After the initial run in Baltimore, the installation will become available for other birth organizations nationwide to use in their communities as an educational tool.

What we are looking for:
We are accepting submissions for artwork to be shown in an ongoing installation to include original paintings, drawings, computer generated art, belly casts, poetry, and tapestries. Artwork must translate to the public the experience of having a cesarean either through your own or someone else’s eyes. In addition to cesarean art, the exhibit will feature an area called the "Birth Empowerment Zone" with artwork illustrating Ten Steps of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (http://www.motherfriendly.org/mfci.php#step1)and Lamaze’s Six Care Practices that support having a natural and healthy birth. The six guidelines can be found at http://tinyurl.com/lumqx4

You may be inspired to submit if:
-you had an unwanted cesarean, either planned or unplanned
-you had a medical complication from a cesarean (long term pain, emergency hysterectomy, hospital acquired infection, etc.)
-you feel you were coerced or bullied into having a surgical birth and/or not given adequate information
regarding the risks
-you had an emergency cesarean
-you are planning a subsequent birth and not finding a caregiver or hospital that will allow you a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
-you were impacted by the cesarean birth of someone close to you

Deadline for submissions is April 7, 2010.
Please contact tiffanyaverill@hotmail if you are interested in submitting artwork or have any questions. Also plan to include a brief explanation about your piece.

All submitted art will become part of an ongoing community arts project and will not be returned. If you want to keep your original you can submit a copy. (Kinko's does a great job copying artwork)

This project has been made possible by a grant from Lamaze International www.lamaze.org. For more information about the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) please visit www.icanofbaltimore.org or www.ican-online.org.