FAMILY:
A RADICAL ACT
OF CREATION
VOL. I
Soliciting Submissions
A coffee table art book that celebrates the artistry of family ritual and the creation of worlds for our children and ourselves.
Powered by an artist grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council
Soliciting Submissions
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Soliciting Submissions
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Soliciting Submissions
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Soliciting Submissions
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Soliciting Submissions
Soliciting Submissions ✳︎ Soliciting Submissions ✳︎ Soliciting Submissions ✳︎ Soliciting Submissions ✳︎ Soliciting Submissions
This art book, a compilation of the rituals we create for our children and ourselves, serves as a declaration of the artistry that is parenthood. As parents, we are constantly unfolding the world at the feet of our children; building the kaleidoscope through which they see and learn. What kind of world are we presenting to them? To us? What kind of world are we in the radical act of creating?
Let’s share and celebrate our unique-to-us rituals. That specific thing your family does for birthdays, that holiday you invented one rainy day and still celebrate every year, a new intention you have for the solstice season, your best attempts to recreate something ancestral, the silliness of a ritualistic accompaniment to the every day life of children. Let’s share all of it. The silliness, the awe, the wonder, and the ritual.Nova Reilly – Ritual Artist, Mother, & Editor
Self-Made Rituals
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Family Traditions
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Daily Family Rituals
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Reinvented Holidays
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Unique Celebrations
Self-Made Rituals ✳︎ Family Traditions ✳︎ Daily Family Rituals ✳︎ Reinvented Holidays ✳︎ Unique Celebrations
As parents and as people, each day is a radical act of creation. We can’t help but to create; every decision we make, both minor and major, are part of the unveiling of kaleidoscoping tile on which our children walk - each stone laid out mere seconds ahead of their step. Many families in the twenty-first century have begun to choose to step away from traditions they grew up with, and instead create their own rituals, traditions, and meaning-making for their children and themselves.
This outright act of ritual creation is an act of rebellion, an act of striving for deep meaning and world-building in the face of exhaustion, apathy, and emptiness of meaning.
EXAMPLE ONE
In our family, instead of “Happy Birthday,” we write the birthday word of the year – something that the celebrated person has said; this year’s silliest catchphrase.
This image depicts my husband's 36th - "Crazy Banazy." My daughter's first will be "Caaaat!"
It doesn’t matter whether it’s cake or pie, candles or sparklers, grown-up or kid, written in frosting or sculpted. We’re just getting started with this but we’re loving it and intend to keep it going.
The Birthday WordEXAMPLE TWO
While not in love with commercialism, we are inspired by childhoods past to bring a little holiday season magic into our daughter’s life. Our solution is the Solstice Owl.
The Solstice Owl flies in at night while everyone is asleep, coming to rest on the highest branches of the solstice tree on the longest night of the year. There she stays, watching over and protecting us through darkest days, until the clock strikes 12 on new years’ eve. She brings books, and a reading “nest” appears overnight, cozy with blankets and fairy lights that stay up until Spring.
accompanied by a poem and drawing
The Solstice Owl
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
JUNE 21st PRIORITY DEADLINE
THANK YOU!
*Submissions will be reviewed in the order they are received, and may or may not be selected for inclusion in the final edition of Volume One.