Art piece by Dayanita Ramesh, part of WVU Libraries sponsored art exhibition 'Undefeated.'
West Virginia University Libraries’ exhibit “Undefeated: Canvas(s)ing the Politics of Voter Suppression Since Women's Suffrage” celebrates the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which eliminated voting obstacles for racial minorities. A 100-piece art exhibition of pieces from all over the nation, “Undefeated” focuses on social advocacy, voting and women’s rights. The exhibit will debut a virtual program on Aug. 7 from noon-1 p.m.
The print installation is slated to be in the Downtown Library from January-August 2021.
Quotes:
“This exciting exhibit is timely not only due to the anniversaries of voter inclusion events in our nation’s history, but also timely due to new questions around access to voting that have arisen during this time of COVID-19. I think everyone will enjoy the artistic approach to presenting the issues through the campaign button motif.” -Karen Diaz, Dean of WVU Libraries
“One of the primary ways Americans participate in our democracy is by voting, but for the first 100 years of America's history, that right was largely reserved for only a portion of the population - white men. Over time, various groups have fought for the right to make their voices heard in our civic life. This year, WVU Libraries is recognizing the sacrifices women made to gain national enfranchisement by commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment in various exhibits, including Undefeated.”
“We also recognize the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which established that the right to vote could not be denied on the basis of race. An exhibit about the Voting Rights Act, which turns 55 this year, presents how the violence against civil rights marchers, such as the recently deceased Congressman John Lewis, in Selma, Alabama, galvanized public support for a bill protecting voting rights for all. Congress passed, and the president signed, the Voting Rights Act in 1965, finally fulfilling the promise of the 15th Amendment by providing Federal enforcement.”
“Despite gains in voting rights, the exhibits also explore how these rights continue to be debated and challenged in various ways, including voter identification laws, gerrymandering, and disinformation.” -- Danielle Emerling, Assistant Curator, Congressional and Political Papers Archivist, West Virginia University Libraries
Resources:
Art in the Libraries: Undefeated
Target audience:
- Educators
- Students
- Social justice advocates
- People interested in national history
- People interested in art
-WVU-
mm/07/22/20
CONTACT: Monte Maxwell
Communications Coordinator
WVU Libraries
304-293-0306, monte.maxwell@mail.wvu.edu
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