"Art of Democracy” Exhibition Now Open

Art of Democracy

Institutions in cities across the nation are featuring politically charged works of art to initiate a discussion about the types of current political conversations.(Credit: Art of Democracy)

By La Monica Everett-Haynes, University Communications October 27, 2008

The traveling exhibition explores the state of politics in the United States.

In various cities across the country – New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle and others – poltiically-based art exhibitions are opening up discussions about the condition of the political nature of the United States.

Students, faculty and staff at The University of Arizona are also taking part in that discussion.

"Art of Democracy," which is a national coalition of politically-based art exhibitions, recently opened at The University of Arizona. 

"The coalition is made up of a core group of artists who wanted to respond to issues happening in America," said Holly Brown, the Union Gallery curator. 

The exhibition is located at the Union Gallery, in the Student Union Memorial Center, 1303 E. University Blvd, and runs through Nov. 17. The museum will also have a printmaking workshop on Nov. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. Supplies will be provided, but registration is required. Write to brownhb@email.arizona.edu to reserve a space.

"Art of Democracy" will occur during the fall at various museums and galleries.

"Coinciding with the presidential elections, this national exhibition of prints and local artists’ work will highlight primary issues facing the American voter," Brown said.

"We, as a gallery, decided we were interested in doing something relevant to the political atmosphere that we are in now," Brown said. "We really wanted to start a discussion about what's going on in politics and to examine the role of art and protest."