Mental health matters. While this subject is so often silenced or shamed, here at OCA Mocha, in collaboration with HoldOn2Hope, we are giving these artistic narratives space to be seen and loved. In order to break down the barriers and stigma that shroud mental health, we must first lay our experiences bare to be witnessed. With empathy and understanding, we can create change. This exhibit is a reflection of our collective and individual experiences navigating our mental health journeys. We are grateful for the bravery and vulnerability of these artists. May this collection of artwork remind us that even when the world was forced to shut its doors, our hearts remained open, reaching for each other. 

The deadline to submit pieces is April 21st, submissions can be sent through this google form link https://forms.gle/pdRVKXtoJZkj7TCM7, which can also be found on OCA Mocha's Facebook (@OCAMocha) and Instagram (@OCAMochaUMBC) in our linktree . 

Any medium can be submitted so long as your piece can be printed and hung on our gallery wall, Art dimensions must not exceed 72 x 72 inches. The exhibition begins on May 1st and ends June 12th.

This exhibit will be co-curated by Liam Garrett and Rocky Callen. 

HoldOn2Hope, founded by Rocky Callen, is the sponsor of this exhibit. Rocky Callen is the author of the YA novel A Breath Too Late. Her mission is to unite creatives in mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. 

OCA Mocha invites entries for You're Not Alone. The exhibition revolves around issues of mental health. The curators aim to feature as many artists as possible to emphasize that mental health battles do not need to be fought alone.

·       Submit via Google Form: https://forms.gle/pdRVKXtoJZkj7TCM7

(Link also on OCA Mocha's Facebook and Instagram in their linktree)

·       Submission deadline: April 21, 2021

·       Submission fee: None

Because this subject is so often silenced or shamed, OCA Mocha, in collaboration with HoldOn2Hope, is giving this artistic narrative space to be seen and appreciated. In order to break down the barriers and stigma that shroud mental health, we must first lay our experiences bare to be witnessed. With empathy and understanding, we can create change.

This exhibit reflects our collective and individual experiences navigating our mental health journeys. We are grateful for the bravery and vulnerability of these artists. May this collection of artworks remind us that even when the world was forced to shut its doors, our hearts remained open, reaching for each other.

This exhibit is co-curated by Liam Garrett and Rocky Callen.

HoldOn2Hope, founded by Rocky Callen, is the sponsor of this exhibit. Rocky Callen is the author of the YA novel A Breath Too Late. Her mission is to unite creatives in mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. 

The Gallery at OCA Mocha is dedicated to promoting and showcasing the creative efforts of UMBC and the surrounding community in its mission to unite people through artistic expression.

You’re Not Alone opens May 1st in-person at OCA Mocha; 5410 East Dr, Arbutus, MD 21227.

Join us April 12, 2021 for a lecture and panel discussion with George Ciscle on curating in the community. Ciscle is the founder and director of The Contemporary, an “un-museum” in Baltimore and an educator and trailblazer in community-based arts and public programming. His work challenges existing conventions for exhibiting art, how we engage public spaces, and how we define curation.

In addition to discussing his work in both the Baltimore and the larger art community, Ciscle will be joined in conversation with Sandra Abbott, curator of collections and outreach at the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, and Ashley Minner, professor of the practice and folklorist, Department of American Studies and director of the American Studies minor in Public Humanities. Their discussion will address community curation beyond unilateral engagement strategies and routine public programming.

The event will be live captioned via Zoom, and ASL interpreters will be provided. 

For the discussion, sign up at https://umbc-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pcO-urD0vGdcE1FKykUATjLcoZ_stZSiy.

This lecture is sponsored by the Department of American Studies, Public Humanities, Maryland Traditions, Dresher Center for the Humanities,Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, and the Orser Center for the Study of Place, Community and Culture

The image thumbnail is a black and white portrait of a smiling senior white man with a beard and mustache wearing a patterned shirt. The portrait is surrounded with a gold square border.

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown, MD is now accepting applications for the Jean Cushwa College Internship. This position is offered to one qualified college student who is majoring in Fine Art, Art History, Art Education, Museum Studies, or a similar field of study.  The intern will conduct curatorial work to support art collections, exhibition planning and management, and/or art education program activities. The intern will receive a stipend of up to $1,000 for about 80 hours of work. The selected intern will be able to create their schedule with staff. Please note this position is most likely a virtual position.

Important dates:

Deadline for Application: Friday, April 30, 2021 by 11:59 p.m.

Notifications of Interview: Beginning on Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Please see attached flyer for more info:

The goals of the IA/JGS Fellows Program are to elevate photography and digital media as pathways for undergraduate students to pursue their careers and to make a difference in their communities. The program specifically aims to support students for whom economic and family circumstances render such career pathways particularly challenging. 

Over the course of the fellowship year, each JGS Fellow will:

• Receive a $2,000 tuition scholarship.

• Receive mentorship and financial support for a community project.

• Attend Imagining America’s national virtual program in Fall 2021 and in-person National Gathering in Fall 2022. Complimentary registration and travel awards are included.
• Participate in regular, virtual learning exchanges.
• Be connected to the consortium’s national network of scholars, artists, and community organizers.

The application period for the 2021-2022 IA/JGS Fellows cohort is now open. Applications are due by Midnight (PT) on Friday, June 4, 2021.