For our Virtual Symposium happening, March 11, 2026, see here.
58th Annual Conference of the
International Visual Literacy Association
October 6 – October 9, 2026
Hosted By:
The Gibbes Museum of Art
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
About the Conference
Conference Theme:
Seeing Through Time: The Legacy of Images in Memory, Place, and Representation
Across cultures and historical periods, visual images have served as powerful vessels of memory, shaping how societies recall the past, narrate the present, and imagine the future. This conference explores the enduring legacy of visual representation and its central role in constructing, preserving, and challenging collective and individual memory, while recognizing how images are rooted in place through landscapes, built environments, cultural traditions, and community narratives that influence their creation and interpretation over time.
In an era saturated with images, from archival photographs and museum collections to digital media, AI-generated visuals, and global social platforms, the ability to decode, question, and critically interpret visual material has become indispensable. Visual literacy provides a framework for understanding not only what images depict but how they shape meaning, influence cultural identities, express ideological viewpoints, and affect public understanding of complex events.
This theme invites scholars, educators, artists, archivists, designers, and media practitioners to examine how visual images operate as mnemonic devices, cultural and ideological tools, and creative acts of representation. It welcomes diverse perspectives on how images endure, transform, or accumulate new meaning as they move through time and across cultural or political contexts. Because seeing through time is shaped by one’s vantage point, this theme encourages reflection on how positionality, worldview, and lived experience influence our interpretation of visual legacies.
Hosting this gathering in Charleston, South Carolina, with sessions at the Gibbes Museum of Art, provides an immersive environment that complements the theme. Surrounded by historically protected architecture, preserved streetscapes, monuments, and a rich lineage of artists, attendees will encounter a living example of how place, history, and representation intersect. Charleston’s layered visual landscape offers a compelling backdrop for exploring how images reflect the narratives we inherit and the futures we imagine.
Tentative Conference Schedule
- Tuesday, October 6: Welcome Reception
- Wednesday, October 7: Full conference day
- Thursday, October 8: Full conference day
- Friday, October 9: Tour opportunities
About The Gibbes Museum of Art:
The Gibbes enriches lives through art. Charleston’s only art museum, we are committed to telling the story of Charleston’s ever-changing landscape and its people. Including historical, modern, and contemporary works, our collection spans 350 years and features some of the country’s most celebrated artists. With world-class rotating exhibitions and a dynamic visiting artist residency program, there’s so much to see inside. Set in the heart of downtown Charleston, the Gibbes is a southern museum with a global perspective.
Travel Information
Charleston International Airport is an airport located in North Charleston, South Carolina, United States. The airport is located in North Charleston and is approximately 12 miles (19 km) northwest of downtown Charleston.
You can get from Charleston Airport (CHS) to downtown via ride-sharing services like Uber, traditional taxis, private car services, or public transportation. The most direct options are rideshares, taxis, and private car services, which take about 15 minutes, while a public bus route is a more budget-friendly but longer option.
Ride-sharing and taxis
- Uber: Follow the signs for the ride-share pickup area outside of Baggage Claim. The pickup area is located across both roadways and to the right of the last sidewalk, according to Charleston International Airport.
- Taxis: Taxis are available through companies like the Airport Limo-Taxi Association.
- Private car services: Companies like Coastal Limousine of Charleston and Going Coastal Transportation offer private shuttles and luxury vehicles.
Public transportation
- CARTA Bus: The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) operates bus routes that serve the airport and the downtown area.
The address for the Gibbes Museum of Art is 135 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401.
More information will be available in Spring 2026.
March 1 – Call for Papers
March 31 – Deadline for Proposals
May 15 – Notifications of acceptance, Scholarship Applications & Award Nominations Open
June 1 – Scholarship Applications & Award Nominations due, Registration Opens
June 15 – Scholarship & Award Notifications
July 15 – Early Bird/Presenter Registration ends
We welcome submissions for the following presentation types that clearly adhere to the conference theme. The call for proposals ends March 31.
Paper Presentations (25 minutes)
- Presentations are 20 minutes, starting with key results from findings, and include a 5-minute open floor Q&A
Campfire Sessions (45 minutes)
- Session starts with a 15-20 minute presentation from a speaker, it then shifts to focusing on gaining key participation from the audience. The presenter turns facilitator allowing attendees to answer questions and provide comments.
Panel Discussions (45 minutes)
- Presentations are moderated, multi-speaker events where experts discuss a topic, offering diverse perspectives in a structured yet conversational format, moving beyond individual speeches to foster interactive learning for the audience, and a guided discussion with Q&A.
Conference registration rates will be available in Spring 2026.
Conference Planning Chairs
Becca Hiester – Conference Co-Chair
Director of Education and Programs
The Gibbes Museum of Art
Katie Greer – Conference Co-Chair
IVLA Vice-President
Justin Baker-Rojas – Conference Co-Chair
IVLA Director of Communications