A Grass Roots Call to “Craftivism” to Get Out the Vote

Time TBD, contact us for updates.

Join women artists, activists, friends, and neighbors at the Maiahaus staging area, when we take to the streets in downtown Madison in an act of “craftivism!” Participants will help in construction of a double-take inspiring GET OUT THE VOTE! fabric art installation created in conjunction with Wisconsin’s League of Women Voters. The installation is designed to capture the attention of potential voters and amplify the message that every vote matters in this November election. Be a part of what is designed to become a “pussy hat-like” symbol of positive voter power!

After-school Activist Art Workshop for All Age Groups

A special activist maker workshop for kids of all ages is presented as part of ALL’s established and successful after-school art program.  Kids will identify, create, and deliver their message to the world via a group photo collage art project. Their finished work will become part of the Women Against Hate United by Love art exhibition on display for the month of October at Arts + Literature Laboratory.

Women Against Hate United by Love art exhibition, created by Wisconsin artists Kelly Parks Snider, Rachel Griffin, and Leigh Garcia, showcases powerful stories told by Wisconsin women leaders impacted by bigotry, intolerance, and racism. Artists and women leaders will participate in an important discussion that will highlight their experiences and priorities as trailblazers in the state. The exhibit is engaging and thought-provoking, meant to provide a meaningful and hopeful community experience for all who attend. Excerpts for the film Zero Weeks will be screened followed by a discussion.

Key activist collaborators in the project include:

• Jessica Cavazos, President & CEO, Latino Chamber of Commerce.
• Kathy Flores, LGBTQ Anti-Violence Manager for Diverse & Resilient; Governance Committee Board Member of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs; Board Member of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.
• Astar Hernadon, Executive Director of 9to5 Wisconsin, fighting for equal rights for women in the workforce.
• Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, President of the Board, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, an organization collectively representing the voices of liberal faith organizations throughout Wisconsin within the public arena.
• Tracy William-Maclin, Interim Director of External Relations, Partnerships, and Development in the Division of Diversity, Equity, & Educational Achievement, University of Wisconsin.
• Jacklyn Velasquez, Equal Justice Works Fellow, Midwest Environmental Advocates.
• Creating artists and activist collaborators of the Women Against Hate United by Love exhibition will be on hand at this opening event to meet and dialogue with attendees.

In 2016, “13” became the first documentary to open the New York Film Festival in its 56 year history. The title refers to the Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, and the film examines the large, exploitable loophole contained therein. Director, Ava DuVernay, begins the eye-opening journey into how the prison industrial complex affects people of color with an alarming statistic: One out of four African-American males will serve prison time at one point in their lives.

Hosting the screening and moderating the post-viewing discussion are two renowned local scholars and activists, Lisa Graves and Amy Quan Barry. Lisa Graves, who actually appears in “13,” is President of the Board of the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) which publishes PRWatch, SourceWatch, BanksterUSA and ALECexposed.org. Vietnamese poet and novelist, Amy Quan Barry, teaches poetry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has received fellowships from Stanford University, the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

After-school Activist Art Workshop for All Age Groups

A special activist maker workshop for kids of all ages is presented as part of ALL’s established and successful after-school art program.  Kids will identify, create, and deliver their message to the world via a group photo collage art project. Their finished work will become part of the Women Against Hate United by Love art exhibition on display for the month of October at Arts + Literature Laboratory.

A Grass Roots Call to “Craftivism” to Get Out the Vote

Fabric-based crafts have become a powerful tool to broadcast messages supporting key rights and concerns, and in some “pussy-hat” cases, create indelible symbols of resistance. A group of local artists and activists, in collaboration with the Wisconsin League of Women Voters, invite caring supporters of the democratic process to join them in an act of “craftivism” aimed at encouraging Madisonians to have their vote counted in the November elections. No particular skills are required other than the desire to inspire others to act in the interest of all. 

Lead artists Chele Isaac and Kelly Parks Snider will join with community participants to create colorful “get out and vote” yarn displays that will become part of a one-of-a-kind activist art installation for display in public spaces in downtown Madison.  Come one, come all, and be part of art in action!

Exhibitions: “Hidden In Plain Sight” & “Women Against Hate United by Love”

Showcasing the city's vibrant arts community, Gallery Night is a long-time Madison tradition. Organized each spring and fall by MMoCA, Gallery Night offers art lovers and art novices alike an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of exhibitions, opening receptions, special events, and demonstrations at venues throughout the city. Join us at the Arts + Literature Laboratory to meet and mingle with the artists and collaborating activists responsible for creation of two powerful, change-making art exhibitions during this city-wide celebration of the Madison’s rich arts scene.

Break-Out Session: Art + Activism Workshop facilitated by Kelly Parks Snider and Jessica Cavazos

A furtherance of the Women Against Hate United by Love initiative and statewide traveling art exhibition, this workshop offers a powerful opportunity to use artistic expression to challenge oppressive cultural norms by putting your words, ideas, thoughts, and dreams out into the world. Participants will be immersed in a visual arts experience designed to inspire self-reflection, increase understanding and promote social change. The resulting art collage and messaging will be displayed at the conference as an extension of the ever-expanding Women Against Hate United by Love art exhibition.

Break-Out Session: Art + Activism Workshop facilitated by Kelly Parks Snider and Jessica Cavazos

A furtherance of the Women Against Hate United by Love initiative and statewide traveling art exhibition, this workshop offers a powerful opportunity to use artistic expression to challenge oppressive cultural norms by putting your words, ideas, thoughts, and dreams out into the world. Participants will be immersed in a visual arts experience designed to inspire self-reflection, increase understanding and promote social change. The resulting art collage and messaging will be displayed at the conference as an extension of the ever-expanding Women Against Hate United by Love art exhibition.

Sponsored by the International League for Peace and Freedom.

Join us at the UW Madison Memorial Union.

Sponsored by the Women’s Philanthropy Council and American Family Insurance.

Join us at Monona Terrace.

Presentations begin at 6:15pm.