Open Call for Artists to Join the Movement for Immigrant Justice Update – Karen Hu, MFA Printmaking ’27
This past week with AMOR, we finalized and posted the art open call, marking a significant milestone in our collective organizing efforts. I focused on developing the practical skills needed to create an open call and plan for a curated collection of artworks, learning how to translate movement intentions into accessible artist opportunities. The prompt slides I designed are bright and bold to make the political stakes clear while offering artists a tangible sense of what a meaningful response could look like. They reflect our commitment to reaching artists whose work is rooted in solidarity with communities targeted by state violence.
In AMOR’s ongoing work to build collective power to end ICE violence, through the Deportation Defense Network, every action is guided by an intention to bring people in, build shared unity, and sustain our movement over the long term. This open call is designed to reach artists who want their work to be used in future actions, protests, and organizing efforts. The art which would be collected is not merely displayed but embedded in and actively furthering the movement. By inviting artists to contribute their visions, we are strengthening the culture of our resistance and crafting an intentional space for creativity in our political practice
This experience has shaped me as an artist by deepening my understanding of how works of art can be collected, shown, and used with intention. I am now thinking critically about the relationship between artistic practice and movement-building, and how the life of an artwork extends beyond its creation into its circulation, reception, and political impact. Learning to design an open call has given me a new appreciation for the labor of organizing artists, and I am excited to carry these insights into my artistic practice.
You can find the open call at https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcttz6vlgQ4/?img_index=1
Submissions are due Oct 1 if you would like to join the movement!