UKIAH, CA., 10/30/24 – In his first inaugural speech in 1789, George Washington called democracy “an experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”
That experiment has led America to one of the most consequential times in its history, specifically the Nov. 5 election, during which voters will choose between polar opposite candidates with different visions of what the country is and what the future may hold.
To address and explore this grand experiment known as democracy, the upcoming election and the complex factors impacting daily life in America, the Deep Valley Arts Collective presents “Dear America ‘24.”
The collective returned to its roots for the new exhibit.
In September 2020 the collective held its first exhibit, an online show called “Dear America.” The show explored the need for human connection during a pandemic that resulted in stay-at-home orders and a presidential election that pitted neighbors against each other.
Recognizing the importance of the upcoming Nov. 5 election, the collective decided to revisit the theme and explore subjects that could be deciding factors in the upcoming election, whether on a local, state or national level.
This year’s juried exhibition features artists from throughout Mendocino County who submitted artworks in myriad mediums from photography to sculpture, paintings and mixed media.
Artists were invited to submit works that cover a broad range of subjects. According to the collective, this includes “exploring wage disparity, [the] high cost of living, environmental concerns such as fires, floods and access to water, reproductive health, poverty and homelessness, racial discrimination, equity, drug use, division, misinformation, social justice, politics, mental health…” and the laundry list of American concerns goes on.
“Dear America ‘24” opens Fri. Nov. 1 with an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. The reception includes wine from Saracina Vineyards, music by singer-songwriter Stephen Winkle and protest songs performed by the Raging Grannies. Guests will also have a chance to make their own picket signs and write letters about matters weighing on their minds.
The exhibit runs Nov. 1-23 at MEDIUM Art Gallery at Pear Tree Center, 518 E. Perkins St., Ukiah, (707) 234-8667, deepvalleyarts.org.