ArtsWestchester Asks Artists to Speak on Voting Rights

What is the state of voting in America? ArtsWestchester asked artists from throughout our region to answer this question in a work of art. A “call to artists” challenged artists to take an ordinary voting booth and transform it into a visual statement about voting rights in America. Another “call” asked them to speak to barriers to the voting ballot that many Americans face today. As a result, the work of twenty U.S. artists fills ArtsWestchester’s gallery for Give Us The Vote, an exhibition of contemporary art that is inspired by the 100th anniversary of the victory for women’s suffrage in New York.

According to ArtsWestchester’s Gallery Director Reckling, who curated the exhibition, “The idea that American democracy is government ‘by the people, for the people’ is fundamental to our national identity, yet the history of who has access to the ballot box in America is troubled… each of the exhibited works is steeped in the history of America’s evolving democracy, yet is also highly personal.” Many of the artists have created new works specifically for this exhibition. The exhibited works are organized around the four major themes, detailed below. For more info visit artsw.org/giveusthevote.

ON VIEW: Oct. 10, 2017 – Jan. 27, 2018

GALLERY HOURS:  Tues-Fri 12-5pm | Sat 12-6pm

Upcoming Give Us The Vote Programs at ArtsWestchester’s Gallery:

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 

Exhibition Preview Day & Lecture

• 3pm | The Suffragists of Westchester County Historian Louise Bernikow reveals stories of local characters who propelled women voting rights victory in New York.
• 4pm | Exhibition Preview Reception: Meet exhibiting artists and get a sneak peek before the show opens to the public.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 | 7pm

Give Us the Ballot: an Evening with Voting Rights Journalist and Historian Ari Berman.

Join us for an evening with Ari Berman, named one of the “50 most influential political pundits” in the U.S. by Business Insider. Berman will discuss the Voting Rights Act before answering audience questions and signing copies of his book.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 | 7pm

Freedom Sings! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement*:

African-American spirituals and freedom songs with legendary musicians and storytellers, Kim & Reggie Harris

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6 | 6:30pm

The Art of Suffrage: Historian Louise Bernikow unpacks the role that art and images have had in shaping the women’s suffrage movement. Followed by a curator-led tour.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 | 2pm

Create, Converse, and Rock the Vote!

A workshop with artist Pedro Nel Ospina and the League of Women Voters of White Plains. Visitors create their own mini-voting booth or ballot box. All-day voter registration with Rock the Vote!

PLUS: Young Professionals Arts Happy Hour Third Wednesday of each month during the exhibition (October 18, November 15, December 20, January 17)

* This event is part of ArtsWestchester’s Folk Arts program, and is made possible in part by the New York State Council for the Arts with support from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

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A version of this article first appeared in the October issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.