For the fifth year in a row, young artists in grades 4 through 12 are being invited to create original artworks inspired by Lighting the Way: Historic Women of the SouthCoast. This year, youth are encouraged to highlight the accomplishments and stories of women of color featured on the Lighting the Way website. The artworks will be exhibited at the New Bedford Whaling Museum March 4th - 26th to celebrate Women’s History Month.  A special opening event will take place Thursday, March 9,  5:30 - 6:30 PM in the Harborview Gallery. The opening event is part of  AHA! Night and is free and open to the public. 

Launched in 2018,  the New Bedford Whaling Museum project Lighting the Way: Historic Women of SouthCoast unearths hidden histories of remarkable women from the Southcoast of Massachusetts who have made an extraordinary impact on their community and beyond. The profiles collected on Lighting the Way expand the historical narrative by illuminating the influence and contributions of women from diverse backgrounds who were connected to the SouthCoast region. These profiles have the power to inspire young people, spark their imagination, and give them an entry point into understanding our communities history and their own potential. 

The 2023 Call For Young Artists to be Exhibited in the IGNITE Showcase

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is inviting young artists in grades 4 through 12 to participate in the 2023 IGNITE: Youth Showcase of Art Inspired by Historic Women of the SouthCoast.  Original works of art are being solicited that highlight the accomplishments and stories of women of color featured on the Lighting the Way: Historic Women of the SouthCoast website, www.HistoricWomenSouthCoast.org. Artworks will be exhibited at the New Bedford Whaling Museum in March 2023 to celebrate Women’s History Month.  All pieces included in the showcase will also be eligible for an award based on their relevance, creativity, and originality. All submissions are due February 15, 2023. Submission instructions and supplemental materials are available at https://historicwomensouthcoast.org/things-to-do/ignite-2023/