Activism

  • A Day With(out) Art

    A Day With(out) Art

    By the late 1980’s, the AIDS crisis had reached a fever pitch in the United States. Afflicting primarily (but not exclusively) the gay male population, tens of thousands of people were dying every year, with elected officials responding at a snail’s pace, if at all. To emphasize the impact this was having on the arts… Continue reading

  • The Art of Protest

    With things heating up in labor movements, the increase of book bans, and continued infringements on the rights of BIPOC and queer people across the country, the art of protest is more important than ever. And by art of protest, I mean not just the act of protesting, but the literal art that people make… Continue reading

  • ‘Black Activism in Print’ Exhibit Highlights Art and Community Activism

    Black Activism in Print: Visual Art from the African American Collection, now on view at the Level 8 Gallery of the Central Library, is more than just an art exhibit. Though it features beautiful art prints by prominent artists and activists Charles White and Elizabeth Catlett, it is also a wonderful opportunity to learn about… Continue reading

  • Craft for a Cause

    I used to volunteer every year for a cause and it used to be my balm when things felt like too much. I rebuilt houses, fed the insecurely housed, and cared for children who had experienced trauma, abuse and neglect. The pandemic and my kiddo put all that on hold. Now more than ever though… Continue reading

  • Social Justice and Activism for Young Adults

    From #MeToo to Black Lives Matter to March for Our Lives, the voices of activists are ringing loud and clear across this country right now.  Many of these voices are those of young people, and teens today are more empowered than ever before to create change and make their voices heard.  As a result, there… Continue reading

  • Activist + Artist = Artivist

    Artists make things and make things happen. Activists stir the public pot and ignite social change. They agitate, demonstrate, boycott and protest. Artivists react and respond to current and historical events through acts of creation and have been doing so for a long, long time. See for yourself! A People’s Art History of the United… Continue reading

  • Occupy Yourself!

    Last month, on a trip to New York City, I found myself marching from Washington Square to Times Square with thousands of other people chanting “we are the 99 percent…you are the percent.” The themes varied, but all called for social justice. I listened to the General Assemblies, talked as we walked, and came away… Continue reading