Safety Pin Art Project
Donation protected
I don't want to fight with people; I want to fight for people!
Yes, I am angry, I am sad, but I am not alone. I have spent these post-election days asking myself how I can make a positive difference? How can I re-direct my disgust and helplessness? Like many, I couldn’t seem to find an answer, and I was overwhelmed by social media. I was browsing the images of my favorite artists, looking through photography magazines, and listening to my all favorite songs because art is healing, and music is an excellent tonic for a crappy mood. That is is how the Safety Pin Art Project was born.
My goal is to have millions of people visiting the website and proudly wearing these badges, displaying a decal or, (as the original idea beautifully suggests), a single safety pin, by Inauguration Day, Friday 2017. Can you help?
Yes, I am angry, I am sad, but I am not alone. I have spent these post-election days asking myself how I can make a positive difference? How can I re-direct my disgust and helplessness? Like many, I couldn’t seem to find an answer, and I was overwhelmed by social media. I was browsing the images of my favorite artists, looking through photography magazines, and listening to my all favorite songs because art is healing, and music is an excellent tonic for a crappy mood. That is is how the Safety Pin Art Project was born.
As a response to racially motivated harassments and assaults taking place after the ‘Brexit’ referendum vote, many British people began wearing a single safety pin on their clothing. This small gesture was a way of showing their support for the immigrants living in the country and assuring that they’re "safe" with them.
This idea has now "crossed the pond." People across the United States are declaring themselves allies to groups who have been maligned by Trump, by fastening a safety pin to their clothing, to show that they stand in solidarity with anyone who might be afraid.
The Safety Pin Art Project invites all the artists and creative people in this world, to participate in this movement through the simple donation of an original work of art featuring your vision of the “safety pin.” Painting, illustration, photography, collage, etc. The goal, for short term, is to feature these art projects on the website: SafetyPinArtProject.com. We will also, with the artist's permission, reproduce these donated images on badges and decals, to be freely distributed on the street or at concerts, art galleries, bookstores, cafes, protests – wherever the good folks go. Longer term, these images will be reproduced on shirts, bags, and other customizable items and sold online. Proceeds from those sales will benefit organizations who focus on justice, advocacy and equal rights for marginalized persons or groups.
I admit, it might be a silly little plan, but even small ideas can have beautiful big effects sometimes. It may seem like the most trivial of gestures, the wearing of a badge, a sticker in your car window, on your bike helmet or laptop. How does that help anything? By visibly communicating to an LGBTQ person, a person of color, an immigrant family, a woman alone, or anyone else, who might appreciate a sign that we are here, we stand with you, you are safe with us. The mere act of giving a badge or decal to another person opens the door for meaningful dialogue and connection. The small act of displaying this symbol could provide safety and security to another human being.
I believe in this idea, and that is why I am personally funding the website and the initial production of the badges and decals, but, I need your artwork, your concepts, and your positivity. And If you aren't an artist, then may I humbly ask for a small donation to facilitate the further production of the badges and decals? You can give money outright or "donate to distribute" by purchasing some of the materials to hand out to your friends, family co-workers, and community!
This project is NOT a money making the venture. If we cover our costs, then money will be reinvested in the project.
This idea has now "crossed the pond." People across the United States are declaring themselves allies to groups who have been maligned by Trump, by fastening a safety pin to their clothing, to show that they stand in solidarity with anyone who might be afraid.
The Safety Pin Art Project invites all the artists and creative people in this world, to participate in this movement through the simple donation of an original work of art featuring your vision of the “safety pin.” Painting, illustration, photography, collage, etc. The goal, for short term, is to feature these art projects on the website: SafetyPinArtProject.com. We will also, with the artist's permission, reproduce these donated images on badges and decals, to be freely distributed on the street or at concerts, art galleries, bookstores, cafes, protests – wherever the good folks go. Longer term, these images will be reproduced on shirts, bags, and other customizable items and sold online. Proceeds from those sales will benefit organizations who focus on justice, advocacy and equal rights for marginalized persons or groups.
I admit, it might be a silly little plan, but even small ideas can have beautiful big effects sometimes. It may seem like the most trivial of gestures, the wearing of a badge, a sticker in your car window, on your bike helmet or laptop. How does that help anything? By visibly communicating to an LGBTQ person, a person of color, an immigrant family, a woman alone, or anyone else, who might appreciate a sign that we are here, we stand with you, you are safe with us. The mere act of giving a badge or decal to another person opens the door for meaningful dialogue and connection. The small act of displaying this symbol could provide safety and security to another human being.
I believe in this idea, and that is why I am personally funding the website and the initial production of the badges and decals, but, I need your artwork, your concepts, and your positivity. And If you aren't an artist, then may I humbly ask for a small donation to facilitate the further production of the badges and decals? You can give money outright or "donate to distribute" by purchasing some of the materials to hand out to your friends, family co-workers, and community!
This project is NOT a money making the venture. If we cover our costs, then money will be reinvested in the project.
My goal is to have millions of people visiting the website and proudly wearing these badges, displaying a decal or, (as the original idea beautifully suggests), a single safety pin, by Inauguration Day, Friday 2017. Can you help?
Organizer
Hilary McEwan
Organizer
Petaluma, CA