Upcoming Programs, Gallery Events to Enliven New Contemporary Art Exhibition “Give Us the Vote” at ArtsWestchester in White Plains

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:     Hope Salley
Thompson & Bender
914-762-1900, Ext. 25
hope@thompson-bender.com

                                                               

(Left) Journalist, Historian Ari Berman will discuss the Voting Rights Act and sign copies of his book Give Us the Ballot on Nov. 2. (Right) Legendary musicians and storytellers, Kim and Reggie Harris will discuss and perform traditional African-American spirituals and freedom songs during an interactive performance on Nov. 3.

 

Upcoming Programs, Gallery Events to Enliven New Contemporary Art Exhibition “Give Us the Vote” at ArtsWestchester in White Plains

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (October 19, 2017) – A new lineup of discussions, interactive activities, networking opportunities and musical performances has been unveiled as part of ArtsWestchester’s programming for its new exhibition of contemporary art, Give Us the Vote in downtown White Plains. The exhibition examines the current state of voting rights in America and features new and commissioned works by 20 artists.

The suffragist movement was one of the most powerful grassroots political movements of the 20th century. Women and men from all walks of life rallied together to win women an equal say in the democratic process and full recognition as citizens. The battle for the ballot raged through the Civil Rights Movement leading to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, ensuring that the right to vote would not be denied because of race or color. Many still feel that each election cycle reveals remaining disenfranchised populations and raises controversy about who should, can and does vote.

Give Us the Vote highlights powerful tributes to the legacy of the suffragists’ efforts and delves into how the quest for equal access to the voting booth remains ongoing. A calendar of special programs and gallery events that are happening throughout the duration of the exhibition are designed to help visitors attain a deeper meaning of the works of art, as well as the topic of voter rights – and barriers – in America.

The following calendar of events and programs is available to the public:

Thursday, November 2 | 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Give Us the Ballot: an Evening with Voting Rights Journalist and Historian Ari Berman
Join ArtsWestchester for an evening with Ari Berman, who was 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.
$20 General Admission

Friday, November 3 | 7:00-8:30 p.m.

FREEDOM SINGS! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
Legendary musicians and storytellers Kim and Reggie Harris discuss and perform traditional African-American spirituals and freedom songs in an interactive performance. The evening will include lecture, song, stories and audience participation.
$15 General Admission

This program is part of ArtsWestchester’s Folk Arts Program, made possible by the New York State Council for the Arts.

 

Monday, November 6 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.

The Art of Politics: A Talk by Historian Louise Bernikow
On the centennial of the victory of women’s suffrage in New York State, ArtsWestchester welcomes historian Louise Bernikow as she unpacks the role of art and images in shaping political movements, particularly the women’s suffrage movement. A tour, led by the exhibition’s curator, will follow the talk.
$10 General Admission

Saturday, November 11 | 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Create, Converse and Rock the Vote! Create your own mini voting booth with artist Pedro Nel Ospina
Join artist Pedro Nel Ospina to create your own mini voting booth or ballot box like the exhibiting artists in Give Us the Vote, then share what the right to vote means to you. All day voter registration with Rock the Vote!
RSVP preferred, but not required.

Teen Tuesdays: November 14 | December 12
4:00-5:30 p.m.

Dance, Sing, Paint and Create
Teen Tuesday sessions for students aged 12-16 will include a tour of “Give Us the Vote,” an art activity and quiet homework time. Enrollment is limited.
FREE!

Wednesdays: November 15 | December 20 | January 17
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Young Professionals “Get Over the Hump” Arts Happy Hour
Are you tired of going straight home after work? Do you want to get over that weekday “hump,” connect with people and make art? Meet us at ArtsWestchester’s gallery on the third Wednesday evening of each month through January 17 for our inaugural “Young Professionals Arts Happy Hour” series. Tickets include a tour of the exhibition, an art-making activity, bites by local restaurants, and a drink.
$15

 

Thursday, January 18
5:00 p.m.

Use Your Words and Rock the Vote! A Freestyle Poetry Workshop with Toni Blackman
Teens and adults will express themselves with hip-hop poet Toni Blackman in this afternoon of freestyle (improvisational) poetry.  Blackman is the nation’s first hip-hop ambassador and has toured alongside artists like The Roots and Wu-Tang Clan.  All day voter registration with Rock the Vote!
FREE!
RSVP preferred, but not required.

To reserve your seat at one of the above events, please call 914-428-4220, ext. 331.

Give Us the Vote is made possible thanks to the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and Westchester Medical Center.

In addition to the exhibition at ArtsWestchester, both The Neuberger Museum of Art and the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (HVCCA) are also exhibiting artist-designed voting booths in conjunction with the White Plains exhibition.

ArtsWestchester is located at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains N.Y. The exhibition will be on view through January 27.  Admission to the exhibit is free to the public. Docent tours are available to the public and for private groups with a suggested per person donation. ArtsWestchester gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://artswestchester.org/give-us-the-vote/

About ArtsWestchester
For over 50 years ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965 it is the largest private not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership vision and support to ensure the availability accessibility and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998 ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building on Mamaroneck Avenue.