The Thames Art Gallery is celebrating International Women’s Day by collaborating with Chatham-Kent Public Library and CK Gay Pride Association to host a satellite event of the sixth annual international Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon.
The event takes place March 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Chatham Cultural Centre’s Studio One.
This international event is an opportunity to put Thames Art Gallery and Chatham-Kent’s artist files and library resources to use as reference material for building content on women in the arts on the world’s most popular online research tool.
In a 2011 survey, the Wikimedia Foundation found that less than 10 per cent of its contributors identify as women. This lack of inclusive participation has led to gender disparity.
The edit-a-thon was started by a group in New York called Art + Feminism, with the goal of increasing female participation in Wikipedia editing as well as increasing the coverage of women artists on Wikipedia.
“Simply put, it is a bit like a marathon, working together with a dynamic group of like-minded people towards a single goal. This particular – thon is about bringing together diverse communities who will bring to light articles related to women in the arts, especially local and Canadian artists,” said a Thames Art Gallery spokesperson in a release.
No Wikipedia editing experience is necessary. Artist Zeesy Powers will provide tutorials and one on one help. Powers’ practice investigates the impact of social and technological structures on individual experience. She regularly facilitates workshops on Wikipedia as part of the Art + Feminism edit-a-thons at arts and community organizations in Ontario and New York.
Come and take part, or simply join us for some snacks and cheer us on. Please bring a laptop, power cord and ideas for entries that need updating or creation. People of all gender identities and expressions are welcome and encouraged to attend this free, family friendly event. For more information visit www.chatham-kent.ca/TAG.
