'Spin the Vote' Exhibition
"Spin the Vote" is an exhibition created by ArtistsWhoVote, an artist collective of students, faculty and alumni who use art as a medium to mobilize for get-out-the-vote. The collective is nonpartisan and focuses on addressing particular challenges new voters face in Maricopa County through mediums ranging from sign-spinning to social media videos.
A creative hybrid of gallery, performance and political action, “Spin the Vote” aims to empower young and first-time voters to participate in the election process. This exhibition includes multimedia artwork created by members of the ArtistsWhoVote collective, including signs, costumes and props designed to help voters navigate the complex and sometimes fraught voting process. The opening reception will include additional activities and performances on Neeb Plaza.
In keeping with socially engaged art practice, the collective will periodically remove art objects for use in their get-out-the-vote campaign work. Visitors (classes, groups and individuals) can also reserve and 'check out’ the signs and costumes from the gallery for outside use. This fluid back and forth from art object to voter engagement strategy raises questions about the relationship between art and political action.
“Spin the Vote” is sponsored by Unstoppable Voters, a project by the Center for Artistic Activism that leverages creativity and innovation to protect our right to vote.
We are in a moment where many people feel ambivalent and frustrated with our political system. Young and first-time voters are navigating complex processes and face a multitude of barriers to civic participation.
“To create is an act and art is an action. Celebrate your right to vote and activate your voice to imagine and realize our shared future.” — Raphael Begay (Diné)
ArtistsWhoVote brings creativity to voter education, motivating young and first-time voters to bring their voices to the polls and to embark on lifelong journeys of civic participation.
Exhibition Dates: Oct. 31—Nov. 10, 2022
Opening Reception: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 5:30 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
Gallery Hours: Monday—Friday, 9 a.m.—5 p.m. (gallery closed noon—1 p.m. for lunch)
About ArtistsWhoVote
A collective of School of Art students, faculty, alumni and community members includes Sabrina Apostol, Sasha Arambula, Christopher Becerra Mejia, Rapheal Begay, Hector Carranza, Elise Crawford-Paz Soldán, Jan Davids, Kate Derwin, Maclyn Eldred, Mikey Estes, Abby Galvin, Kiauna Holguin, Kasey Kutcher, Emiliano Lopez, Emmie Machen, Miguel Angel Monzon, Elizabeth Pineda, JoAnna Reyes, lindsey rothrock, Gregory Sale, Safwat Saleem, Yvette Serrano, Claire Walgren, Brittney Wegener and others.
Formed in 2020 by associate professor Gregory Sale and students in ART 442/542: Art and Community, the project has encompassed video, socially distanced events and sign-spinning performances that literally threw questions of the election up in the air. Original collective members include John Bedard, Shalanndra Benally, Janet Davids, Gavin Emerson, Brian Huynh, Melissa Koury, Jessica Razer, Mia Rios, Kyra Saley and Selina Scott.
The project is created in partnership with the School of Art and RUN AAPI and their Give a F*ck About Midterm campaign.