Artivism Contest Winners
My Voice, My Art, Our Cause
This year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passage of the 26th Amendment, propelling youth voices in democracy by lowering the voting age to 18 nationwide. The Common Cause Student Action Alliance is celebrating this anniversary and encouraging young people to engage in local elections and voting rights advocacy with “My Voice, My Art, Our Cause”, an artivism contest uplifting youth voices and their perspectives on democracy issues through their creativity.
1st Place Winners Artivism Contest
Tobi O., 16, North Carolina
Free Speech & Freedom to Protest
Instagram: @tobi_onasanya
“I chose this issue area because during the past year freedom of speech and protest has been challenged as more and more people stand up to face inequality (especially surrounding race). My artwork represents those who feel unheard in their efforts to speak out. I hope my work will convey a feeling of passion and almost anger, like the feeling of screaming without being heard.”
Jessica H.B., 21, California
Access to Voting
“I chose to draw about access of voting because it helps the people who can vote have access to voicing who are their representatives, voice the propositions, as well as help the community. Access to voting helps people exercise their democracy in on issues that impact their community, family, people, and oneself. Our vote is our voice. I hope my art will convey the impact that access to voting creates in all communities. Voting is a voice that should not be silenced just like someone who gets the microphone and says something or sings. It is a right that is necessary to emit for the future of the community, of many generations, of representation, of looking into the issues that affect everyday life, and oneself.”
Camila T.G., 24, Washington, D.C.
Criminal Justice Reform & Mass Incarceration
Instagram: @byunnaturalcauses
Twitter: @byunnatcauses
“While the media has shifted attention away from the Black Lives Matter movement, the problems that incited the protests are still there, unaddressed by our government. Namely, the systemic racism in our injustice system means that no matter who you are, if you are black, you are in danger of police brutality and harsher punitive sentences than white people. If we do not approach criminal justice as a matter of racial justice, then we will not be able to build new structures of transformative justice that uplift true democracy, accountability, and equality.”
2nd Place Winners Artivism Contest
Jacob W., 21, Georgia
Free Speech & Freedom to Protest
Instagram: @wiant.works
“My piece represents the ongoing struggle for equal rights for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. As a gay man and an artist, it is my responsibility to protest through art and design. One vote can influence countless people. This piece exemplifies the impact of my singular vote for the LGBTQ+ community in the process of assuring marriage equality, queer education, and overall safety for other members of my community. This piece communicates a sense of solidarity to other members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who suffer in silence. Additionally, the work will place some hope in the democratic process in order to build a better future for our community.”
Jennifer F., 25, Maryland
Free Speech & Freedom to Protest
Instagram: @collagesofcollege
Twitter: @collagesofcolle
“I chose this issue area because we have seen mass protests since the pandemic started, many of which still appear even under the new administration. This is especially true in the light of the ongoing fight for racial justice and reproductive justice. My piece represents protesting during a pandemic and how that is integral to viewing these protests now that we have lost hundreds of thousands of people in this country alone and still have to fight for our rights and our neighbors rights every day. I hope people will take away from it that people will push for change no matter the circumstances.”
2nd Place Winners Artivism Contest
Jacob W., 21, Georgia
Free Speech & Freedom to Protest
Instagram: @wiant.works
“My piece represents the ongoing struggle for equal rights for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. As a gay man and an artist, it is my responsibility to protest through art and design. One vote can influence countless people. This piece exemplifies the impact of my singular vote for the LGBTQ+ community in the process of assuring marriage equality, queer education, and overall safety for other members of my community. This piece communicates a sense of solidarity to other members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who suffer in silence. Additionally, the work will place some hope in the democratic process in order to build a better future for our community.”
Jennifer F., 25, Maryland
Free Speech & Freedom to Protest
Instagram: @collagesofcollege
Twitter: @collagesofcolle
“I chose this issue area because we have seen mass protests since the pandemic started, many of which still appear even under the new administration. This is especially true in the light of the ongoing fight for racial justice and reproductive justice. My piece represents protesting during a pandemic and how that is integral to viewing these protests now that we have lost hundreds of thousands of people in this country alone and still have to fight for our rights and our neighbors rights every day. I hope people will take away from it that people will push for change no matter the circumstances.”