2026 Inaugural
Community Art Exhibition
New York, NY
Making the Invisible Illness Visible
Endometriosis affects millions worldwide, yet remains widely misunderstood, under diagnosed, and culturally invisible.
The exhibition exists to change how chronic illness and women’s health are seen, discussed, and understood through art.
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The Problem
Endometriosis: An Invisible Public Health Issue
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing severe pain, fatigue, organ dysfunction, and infertility.
Despite affecting an estimated 1 in 10 women and people assigned female at birth, endometriosis remains one of the most under-recognized medical conditions globally.
On average, individuals wait 7–10 years for an accurate diagnosis.
During that time, many experience:
persistent physical pain
medical dismissal or misdiagnosis
emotional isolation
disrupted education and careers
reduced quality of life
For many, the illness remains invisible to others — existing privately within the body while daily life continues outwardly unchanged.
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Why Awareness Alone Is Not Enough
Conversations about endometriosis have traditionally occurred within medical spaces. While medical research and treatment are essential, they do not fully capture the lived experience of chronic illness.
Pain, identity, grief, resilience, and embodiment cannot be measured solely through clinical language.
Cultural silence surrounding women’s health has contributed to misunderstanding, stigma, and delayed recognition of suffering.
Art offers another way of knowing.
Through visual expression, storytelling, and creative practice, artists can translate complex bodily experiences into forms that invite empathy, dialogue, and deeper understanding.
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Art as Advocacy:
Art has long played a role in shaping public understanding of social issues, from mental health to disability rights to gender equity.
Art allows audiences to:
encounter experiences different from their own
engage emotionally rather than diagnostically
reconsider assumptions about health and the body
Through exhibitions, publications, podcasts, and community programming, FLARE uses art to transform private experiences into shared cultural dialogue.
This exhibit celebrates the stories, struggles, and resilience of women navigating chronic pain, reproductive health challenges, and the journey toward proper diagnosis.
Call for Artists
Submissions Now Open
Apply to be included in our Inaugural Art Exhibition:
Illuminating Endometriosis
FLARE invites artists of all backgrounds to submit work for our upcoming exhibit exploring the lived experiences of women with endometriosis.
We welcome artwork that reflects personal narratives, abstract interpretations, or related medical and emotional experiences.
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Artists of all backgrounds, experience levels, and locations are encouraged to apply.
Works that tell a story, convey lived experiences, or explore personal or societal aspects of endometriosis are especially welcome.
Both professional and emerging artists are invited; authenticity, creativity, and storytelling matter most.
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What to Submit:
High-quality images of your artwork (JPEG, PNG, or PDF, max 10MB per file)
Artist statement or description (150–200 words recommended) explaining your inspiration, process, or the story behind the work
Optional: personal story and reflection about your connection to endometriosis or related themes
Artwork Types Accepted:
Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor)
Drawing / Illustration
Photography
Sculpture
Mixed Media
Other visual art forms
Additional Info:
Indicate if your artwork is available for sale
Include dimensions and medium
Only original work will be considered
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Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026
Please submit all required materials by this date.Notification of Acceptance: July 31, 2026
All artists will be notified whether their work has been accepted.Exhibit Dates: Anticipated September 2026
Selected artists will have time to prepare and deliver their work for the exhibit.
We encourage you to submit early and ensure your images and statements reflect your work and story. Don’t worry if this is your first submission—FLARE values authenticity and perspective above all else.
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As the founder of FLARE, I want to personally encourage you to share your story through your art. Whether you are expressing your own journey living with endometriosis, or exploring what it’s like to support and witness someone you love navigate this disease, your voice matters.
Joining this exhibit is more than submitting artwork—it’s connecting with a community of creators who understand, who have lived similar experiences, and who are committed to spreading awareness.
By putting your work out into the world, you are turning personal experiences into a collective message, giving visibility to what is often invisible. At FLARE, we believe CREATIVITY = VISIBILITY—together we can make art the world cannot ignore, art that brings endometriosis into focus and makes the disease impossible to overlook.
Your story, your perspective, your art—they all matter, and we can’t wait to see them come to life in this powerful exhibit.
Keep creating, Keep healing — Priscilla
Join FLARE for its inaugural community art exhibition in New York City, an immersive experience exploring endometriosis, chronic illness, and embodied storytelling through visual art.
This ticket grants entry to a curated gallery experience featuring original works, installation moments, and storytelling pieces designed to be experienced slowly and intentionally.
*VIP ticket holders receive an invite to the in-person day-before official FLARE book launch celebration event.
Guests will move through the exhibition at their own pace, with space to reflect, connect, and engage with the work.
This is more than an art viewing, it is a shared atmosphere of presence, expression, and witnessing.
Details:
Date: Saturday September 26th
Time: TBA
Location: NYC
All proceeds support FLARE’s mission to amplify endometriosis awareness through art, education, and community programming.