The Role of Artists and Women in the Post Election World

"Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim... Sometimes we must interfere." - Elie Wiesel

Hello, Readers.

I hope everyone had a wonderful International Women's Day, yesterday. We have many women to celebrate for their accomplishments in the arts, science, politics and every other field. Their contributions and sacrifices have created the playing field that we operate on today. They are our inspiration as we move forward in choosing the women that we become tomorrow.

Shepard Fairey's Inauguration posters

Regardless of how long it has felt, we are currently five weeks into a new Republican-ish/Nationalist administration that seems to be hellbent on following a backwards path to some time they dubbed "great" as opposed to heading toward what the rest of the world took for granted as progress. Once the shock and anger of election night dissipated, I found myself thinking a great deal about what to do next, as a woman and as an artist and as a citizen.

What is the role of an artist? Is it to educate? Should the focus be on truth and facts or empathy? What does truth mean anyway? And, is all art political? 

"Plug It Up" by Laura Murray

I do not believe that the majority of the country shares all of the sexist, racist, xenophobic and generally hateful views of this president and his cabinet. I saw a nation of voters who stopped caring about the democratic process, in many cases didn't have access to the facts and ultimately felt their votes didn't count. 

Democracy only works when the people are well informed. So for me, the first way to move forward is by sharing information and staying vocal. This includes speaking up for those unable to do it themselves. I intend to amplify the voices of political artists, especially the women and artists of color who continue to be underrepresented.

"Champ" by Zoe Buckman

Right now, I would like to share a list of ideas and resources for activism. This list contains a wide array of options from making a simple call to organizing local protests. I have included as many important dates, resources and organizations as I could muster for you to continue collecting information and fighting the good fight. Please share this post with anyone you know who wants to do something, but doesn't know where to start or anyone else you know for that matter. I will try to keep it updated as new information comes my way.

Women's March Toronto, Lisa Fox

• Read, educate yourself and remember that democracy only works when the people are informed.
  • What The Fuck Just Happened Today?
  • Daily Kos
  • Talking Points Memo
  • LeftAction
• Organize locally. March, go to events for cultural institutions, etc.
  • March 11: International Women's Day March Toronto
  • April 15: Tax March multiple locations
  • April 22: March for Science DC and other locations
  • November 6, 2018: Vote on 33 Senate seats and all 435 seats in the House.
• Learn about and vote in local elections. This includes prosecutors, school boards, city councils, county clerks, mayors, sheriffs, etc.
  • First, make sure you're registered to vote.
  •  USA.gov (You can also get absentee ballots here.)
  •  Ballotpedia
• Support those under attack and report bullying, bigotry and hate crimes. 
  • Black Alliance for Just Immigration
  • Desis Rising Up and Moving
  • United We Dream
• Engage in local politics. Form clubs, run yourself. 
  • The Working Families Party offers a model to form local political clubs that engage elected officials and push for progressive legislation.
  • Run for office
  • Especially, if you're a woman.
  • Join your local Democrats
  • If you're an expat like me, join Democrats Abroad.
• Sign petitions.
  • change.org to support the NEA
  • pen.org telling Congress to reject any budget eliminating funding for the arts
• Call representatives and senators. Go see them. 
  • Senators
  • Representatives
  • Other elected officials
  • Some instructions on how/who to call.
• Protect your data
  • Here's an app to start with for messaging
  • And, one for online browsing
• Donate to organizations. The White House has said several social institutions will be defunded and dismantled, such as the NEA and NEH, so I plan to do what I can to contribute to them. There are many to choose from. Find the cause that gets you jazzed and show your support.
  • Planned Parenthood
  • International Refugee Assistance Project
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
  • Trevor Project
  • Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
  • American Friends Services Community
  • ProPublica
  • ACLU
  • Center for Constitutional Rights
  • Southern Poverty Law Center
  • NPR
  • New York Times
  • World Wildlife Fund
  • Washington Post
  • Environmental Defense Fund

Mural of Trump and Putin, Unknown Artist

Here's where I challenge you, Dear Reader. Please, begin or continue to engage through your voice and art. Amplify the work of politically minded artists, especially women and artists of color. Question the status quo. The things that we previous took for granted as common values are no longer that. Stay vocal. Keep fighting. And, share information with everyone you can. Add your resources and information to the comments at the bottom of the page or simply email me and I will try to update this page. And, finally, don't forget to subscribe to this blog below. The next post will showcase some exciting contemporary female photographers to mark this Women's History Month. Thank you.

“Either America will destroy ignorance or ignorance will destroy the United States."  -W.E.B. Du Bois

See you at the next march!

"There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for." - J.R.R. Tolkien

15 Years Ago Today

I find it hard to believe that 15 years have passed since the attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington.  I took some time today to look back at a project I shot as a response to the tragedy and to think about everything that was going through my head at that time.

I thought I would share a selection of the images with you today.

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The entirety of the series can be seen here on my website.

Come out to the Art Walk & Street Fest this Saturday!

Hi, Everyone!

I want to invite you all to the Kingston Road Village Art Walk & Street Fest on Saturday, June 4th. You'll be able to find me and my work at 872 Kingston Road. Hope to see you there.

Fish 3

Odds & Ends

Hello, Everybody!

I hope you're all enjoying the bone-chilling Springtime weather and seasonal affective disorder we're getting.  For those of you that would like a little something to get you through these last few freezy, melty, muddy days, I've put together a list of events and entertaining tidbits to distract and inspire you until it's appropriate to wear short sleeves.

To start, here are some items for those willing to brave the elements:

There are some fantastic exhibitions and things to do around town in the next few weeks:

Raymond Boisjoly: Over a distance between one and many isat the Koffler Gallery.

Raymond Boisjoly, image for the inconstancies, 2015.

The current exhibition at Gallery 44 is The Kitchen by Sarah Anne Johnson.

Sarah Anne Johnson, The Kitchen, 2016

In the Beauty I Hide is a group exhibition at Hermann & Audrey.

Celebrate the opening of the 2016 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival at the launch party on the 27th at the AGO

Keep up to date on the budding Sakura Cherry Blossoms at High Park.

Learn about the Business of Art at Lakeshore Arts in one of their professional development workshops over the next few weeks.

Create works of art across Toronto and contribute to the vitality and attractiveness of the city's streetscape by participating in the Outside The Box Program.

And, here are some items for those of you that appease your weather related disappointments through shopping:

Yippee! A simplified way to transfer photos from my iphone to my computer.

And, here is a photo management system for you and your family.

We all know Boba Fett is the coolest Star Wars character.  Why not use him to charge your phone?

Or chose the greener method of juicing up your phone with solar power.

Show Mother Nature that you can still garden even if she's not thawing out the ground for you yet.

For those of you that would rather be entertained in the comfort of your own home, here are some items to read, watch or make without a coat.

You could start a knitting project. I'm working on this Doctor Who inspired piece.

Make or buy a pinhole camera so you'll be ready for Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day!

Or discover some talented female photographers that didn't fit in my Women's History Month posts.

Marianna Rothen is a Canadian photographer that incorporates digital photography with Polaroid printing.

Amanda Charchian is a Los Angeles based photographer who depicts the nude female form as something empowered, confident and seductive.

Holly Andres is and American photographer who explores the themes of memory, childhood and female introspection through her work

And, for those who want to stay in and be less brainy:

If you haven't yet seen the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer, here you go.  It's nice to have a movie to look forward to.

Or just wait until the 24th for the return of Game of Thrones.

Next week, the foxcraft blog will be coming to you from New York.  Subscribe below to make sure you don't miss out on any adventures.

And, if you're in Toronto, my work is on display at Veloute Bistro, 2343 Queen Street East
Toronto, 416 696 7392.  Make sure to check it out and enjoy a fantastic meal or a glass of wine.