FAT - a fat liberation gallery show

Show Statement

Fatness is beautiful. Fatness is powerful. Fatness is worthy.

The so-called “obesity epidemic” relies on outdated and racist metrics to justify systemic discrimination against fat people. From healthcare to social status, built environments to insurance policies, fat bodies are policed, medicalized, and marginalized. As diet culture resurges and media narratives revert to blatant fatphobia, fat individuals—especially QTBIPOC—are pressured to shrink, conform, and disappear.

FAT is a radical act of visibility. This exhibition unapologetically reclaims fatness as something to be honored, not erased. We are unapologetically owning and identifying with the word “fat” as an act of liberation and acknowledgment, rejecting diet culture and instead honoring fatness as a life source. We invite artists to share work that celebrates fat bodies, confronts the realities of fat oppression, and reimagines a world where fat people exist freely and joyfully.

Consider these questions as you create:

• How has fatphobia shaped your experience of space, access, or identity?
• In what ways does embracing fatness feel like an act of resistance?
• What does fat joy, beauty, and liberation look like to you?

We welcome submissions in all mediums. Let’s take up space—boldly, loudly, and with love.

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ACCESSIBILITY: Our space is ADA accessible and has a ramp available to the right of the staircase down to the space. Stay tuned for updates regarding seating accessibility for fat folk. 

INSPIRATION: Looking for a jumping-off place? Some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing? Check out the following curated Pinterest board for this show: https://pin.it/2n0xv0dDj

Please remember not to copy any works exactly, and if any creations are heavily derived from a reference, give credit where credit is due :)

Submission Donation - Supporting our Space & Community

Thank you for your interest in submitting to our upcoming gallery show! As a volunteer-run, QTBIPOC-centered space, we rely on community contributions to keep our doors open and continue providing opportunities for artists like you.

As you consider submitting your work, please note that a $15 submission donation is suggested. This fee plays a critical role in helping us maintain and support the space, ensuring that we can continue to offer opportunities for creative expression and community connection.

We understand that financial barriers exist, and we never want cost to prevent anyone from sharing their work. We are incredibly privileged that this show is supported by the Neighborhood Matching Fund, so fees are not required for this show.

If you are in a position to contribute a bit more, we warmly welcome additional donations. Extra support from contributors helps cover fees for other artists and further sustains our mission of providing a vibrant, inclusive platform for the QTBIPOC community.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we work together to keep this space thriving for all and work towards providing the fee-free space we hope to provide in the future.

Important Dates 

• Wednesday, April 9th 11:59PM - Submission Deadline

• Sunday, April 18th - Artist Acceptance Notification

• Friday, April 25th - Artist Drop Off

• Saturday, April 26th - Artist Drop Off

• Sunday, April 27th - Final Artist Drop Off by 2pm

• Saturday, May 2nd - Opening Reception/Vendor Market

• Saturday, May 10th - Fat Movement Session

• Sunday, May 17th - Fat Clothing Swap

• Thursday, May 22nd - Uptown Art Walk & Fat Speaker

• May 24th - Fat Healing Art Workshop

• Friday, May 30th - Closing Reception/Community Circle

Following the conclusion of the show, art MUST be picked up by June 27th, 2025

(Dates subject to adjustment)

Terms Agreement:

The Fishbowl keeps 40% of all art sales; the remaining 60% goes to the artist.
All art must be dropped off to this Fishbowl within 2 weeks of the show opening, any works not presented within the required timeframe is subject to not be displayed. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances, along with clear and consistent communication with the Fishbowl team.

Art that arrives with little to no protective packaging runs the risk of potential damage. For best results in ensuring art remains intact, please take the time to wrap your art, and we will endeavor to make sure it is returned the way it arrived at the gallery.

After the close of the show, ALL art must be retrieved by the artist. Art that has not been picked up by the artist after 30 days of closing reception will be subject to be relinquished over to the property of the Fishbowl. Please indicate that you understand and accept this arrangement. 

Our Limited Liability Policy:

The Fishbowl will not be responsible for any loss or damage to a vendor/artist’s property, injury to, or bodily harm of the vendor/artist (or its employees, representatives, and contractors), or vendor/artist sales. By participating in any Fishbowl Event, vendor/artist expressly assumes all risks of loss, damage, liability, injury, or destruction resulting from any cause whatsoever, including but not limited to acts or omissions by Vendor, Artist, The Fishbowl, or acts of nature, and hereby releases and waives any claims against The Fishbowl(and its employees, representatives, and contractors) related to such loss, damage, liability, injury, and/or destruction.

By clicking Submit below I acknowledge and agree to the above terms