AJ Jones is a writer and artist who expresses herself in a variety of media and views her neurodivergence as a unique way of looking at the world in hopes of creating a better future.
“Useful art is about making a difference in people’s lives, even on a small scale. It is art as activism and activism as art.”
Tania BrugueraLead Artist, Tate Exchange, 2018–2019
Voices. How they slip into the ear. How they penetrate with emphasis and tone, and penetrate the mind with a raw, sparkling vitality. All too soon we have to end a conversation. Words become jumbled as other facets of life come to the fore, and conversations are repeated as ideas are exchanged and manifested in solitude. Sometimes these exchanged voices rest inside, waiting to emerge. Some ideas do not stick, while others echo through the soul.
You realize they are not alone in their ideas, ideals and values. It is difficult to keep these conversations fresh, much less alive, in our minds as we grapple with the everyday needs that drive us from task to task, place to place, bombarded by advertising, social media, concern for others, concern for ourselves.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a place where people could come together, exchange ideas and, if possible, voice their opinions to reflect on later, allowing expression and manifestation? A place where the immaterial could be brought into the visible reality of space, time, energy and matter?
PLACE FOR PROGRESSIVE IDEAS
Such a place exists in central Iowa. More than 50 people have come together to shape it as part of the Fairness for Iowa coalition, organized by Jen Sinkler of Progress Iowa. The prevailing themes are community, conversation, and the unification of ideas, of movement, with an eye toward a better future locally; with implications across the nation and even the world. From Social Security to climate change. From SNAP benefits to LGBTQ+ rights. From reproductive freedom to gas prices. From book bans to the management of air, soil, and water. A place where progressive ideas can congregate.
Cut to the opening night of the “Framing a Fair Iowa” art exhibit on August 2 at the RAYGUN store in Des Moines – the second floor of the iconic t-shirt shop includes a gallery space. Panels and walls are covered with artful depictions by dozens of artists, created over nine months with one overarching theme: justice for the people of Iowa. The art exhibit gave others a chance to reflect on the voices that individually may go unheard, but that collectively speak volumes through artwork, with one piece after another forming a unified response that resonates in the eyes.
As visitors streamed through opening night, a postcard-making station encouraged them to become artists themselves if they so desired. (Photo: Erin Hawkins)
The result was a spectacular collection of collages, paintings and posters. If you missed the opening night or want to revisit the exhibition, the artwork will remain on display through Thursday, August 22. If you’re in Des Moines, stop by RAYGUN, 505 E Grand Ave.
Creative Director Jen Sinkler guides Jim and Sue Heemstra through the artwork of mutual friend Kevin Marken. (Photo credit: Eris Hawkins (www.instagram.com/lionheartclubhousecreatives))
The show’s origins date back to Progress Iowa’s first Art Jam, held just days after Election Day last year, with many eager to make their voices heard in a new and unique way.
Progress Iowa’s offices were filled with people from the neighborhood and other counties. Conversation was lively, with issues and ideas connecting people through shared experiences. A safe haven for progressive perspectives in a state where government has become increasingly restrictive. People joined conversations and left to create, as viewpoints took on color and texture.
“When I was working on this piece, there was a library controversy in the town where I lived… some of us were fighting to keep the library free from political control. Books, it seems to me, are a gateway to all possible worlds, and being open to all possible worlds keeps us open to life,” said artist Sophie Mathonnet-Vanderwell. “It was a liberating feeling to be able to express myself and listen to others without worrying about being looked at the wrong way! We could joke and talk openly about issues or concerns that were close to our hearts.” She went on to explain that in smaller communities, “there were many places where that wasn’t possible. Only among close friends.” She concluded by saying that she “wanted to meet other progressive Iowans.” Note: The people from Pella came and the library remains free from political control. (Photo credit: Eris Hawkins)
A few months later, in January, artist, activist, and organizer Julie Russell-Steuart brought her Provisional Press to Progress Iowa to hold a protest poster-making workshop. Locals and people who had traveled hours to make their own posters on Julie’s press. The process of pressing ink to paper released pent-up frustration with those elected to put the interests of the people ahead of corporate greed; a cathartic act. It was not a comment on any official’s humanity, but rather on his humanity.
Artist Julie Russell-Steuart stands among panels of artwork that primarily feature works urging U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn to vote for the electorate rather than corporate interests. A number of works were created in Russell-Steuart’s protest poster-making workshop by artists Jeannie McCrea, Mike Gass, Jerry Uhlman, Maggie Rawland, Kevin Marken, Lucretia Caplan, Janeice Murra and author AJ Jones. (Photo: Jerry Uhlman)
Art offers many avenues of expression. Recently, musician, songwriter and educator Dartanyan Brown, a member of the Iowa Jazz, Blues and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, hosted an art jam on songwriting. Under Brown’s guidance, groups formed and wrote their own protest songs that addressed the responsibility of elected officials and progressive ideas about the freedoms that seem to be taken away from us on a daily basis by the same officials we are supposed to protect.
Progress Iowa offers Art Jams every other Friday afternoon and evening to not only create art, but also continue the conversation and message development on specific issues that Iowans care about. And to share information with the goal of holding elected officials accountable for their campaign promises, not their voting behavior. Many of these issues favor corporations over voters. Given the current political climate, it is obvious that holding Iowa politicians accountable will be our never-ending task.
Most of them say they are not artists and have little to no artistic background, but for them the Art Jams are a safe space for dialogue and an outlet to express their dissatisfaction with the current political climate and imagine a new future. One common theme is the agreement that corporate money must be removed from politics.
OUR VOICES AND ART ARE POLITICAL CURRENCY
It is our duty to hold elected officials accountable and stay on top of things – not just in election years, but throughout their term in office – to ensure that lawmakers are responsive to the needs of the people. From the swearing-in to every vote, it is important that they know the people’s interests are represented. Art Jams are a way to keep the dialogue going by using our collective voices to influence action, much like corporations do with money.
A typical example is U.S. Representative Zach Nunn from Iowa’s third congressional district. His voting record reflects his giving billions in tax breaks to the oil industry and siding with the pharmaceutical industry. against Reduction drug prices; and the support of large agricultural companies to the detriment of family businesses, which led to an increase in food costs; not to mention the environmental problems that Burden on taxpayers and which endanger a future worth living.
Nunn did not cast those votes for the economic benefit of his constituents. He certainly did not run on a promise to enrich corporate donors and bankrupt his constituents. But Nunn is a member of the Republican Study Committee, which has proposed budget proposals that would raise the Social Security retirement age and jeopardize Medicare benefits.
Both ideas would put even more financial hardship on the average citizen. People have paid into these benefits throughout their working lives as part of a contract with the government that Social Security and Medicare would be available to them when they needed them. For many, this is their only safety net.
“I think if you look closely at most of our problems, it’s all about money in politics,” says Lincoln Addis, author of “Get Money Out of Politics.” “It’s gotten to the point where billionaires and big corporations have taken over our politicians and basically work for them.” (Photo: Eris Hawkins)
“Last year, Governor Reynolds and her regime turned down federal funding to ensure children had something to eat during the summer,” said Parker Williamson, who is exhibiting five of his works. “Republican lawmakers made it harder to get SNAP in Iowa while boasting about a billion-dollar surplus in our budget. One in three children in this country is food insecure. Why are people starving in the United States in 2024?” (Photo: Eris Hawkins)
“I’ve been thinking about how I want to see more equality and justice in our economic system, our legal system, and all systems of government,” said artist Polly Phillips Antonelli. “Zach Nunn lied to my face about Chapter 20 (removing collective bargaining rights for Iowa public employees) and his voting strategy in the Iowa House of Representatives, and then he lied about that lie at a legislative forum. That hurt a lot of teachers and friends, and I was a substitute teacher at the time.” (Photo: Eris Hawkins)
This TikTok video from Lori VanLo (@itsme_lojo) sums it up in an inspiring, uplifting post: “If you feel like you’re trying to change the direction you’re taking in your life, or if your values or politics have changed a lot, it just takes time, but keep working and keep going out into the world. You will find your people.” In her own way, she uses her voice to bring us together. Because our voices carry something.
If you would like to add your voice to the chorus for our freedoms, email [email protected] to join.
