A group of local Democrats has worked in recent months to infuse positivity into what has become a negative campaign season through eye-catching Obama artwork.
Since the March primary, about 20 Athens-area women, called the Obama 20, have raised funds to send a local delegate to the Democratic National Convention in September and have worked with the public to create art that celebrates their preferred candidate.
Susan Mitchell first invited the band of women together for a potluck dinner during the presidential primaries at her house, she said. With her family unavailable to watch, Mitchell invited Facebook friends and email contacts who were into progressive politics to watch the results.
Mitchell thought maybe one person would show up; instead, 11 women did.
“Rather than watching TV that evening, we just sat in a circle, ate appetizers and had intense discussion,” Susan Mitchell said. “And we were just fascinated with each other — we never watched the results.”
When the night ended, the women knew they wanted to continue the discussion, and they decided to meet again in a month.
At first, the gatherings were purely social, until the group decided to adopt a mission.
In June, the women hosted their Garden Party Fundraiser, which raised the $1,100 necessary to fund a trip for Patrice Beard, an Athens woman, to attend the Democratic National Convention, said Carole Weiner, a member of the group.
From there, the women turned their sights to “amplifying the joy, optimism and hope” of the presidential election, said Patty Mitchell, artist and Obama 20 member.
Using excess funds from the fundraiser, the group rented out the basement of the UnionArts Performance and Arts Center, 12 W. Union, in June for a weeklong art residency. The public was able to come and make Obama art with the help of Mitchell, who works with Passion Works and donated her time and art supplies.
Donated recycled materials ranging from piles of old clothes to costume jewelry were used to create banners, bags, hats, sashes, badges and umbrellas — all emblazoned with “OBAMA” and messages supporting his campaign.
“You can make things and put them out there in the stream of what is already happening and it creates more energy and excitement,” Patty Mitchell said.
And that’s exactly what they did. At the end of that week, the Obama 20 paraded down Court Street to the Obama for America office, showing off their creations.
Then, on her first day at the Democratic National Convention, Patrice Beard gained national exposure by flaunting a yellow “Women for Obama” cape that she created during her residency out of a prom dress.
The members of the Obama 20 support and celebrate a president they all believe in and whom they feel believes in them. They also aim to turn the focus away from the negativity associated with campaigns, Weiner said.
“It’s not all nasty politics,” Weiner said. “It can be loving and fun.”
The Obama 20 define themselves by what they are as much as by what they are not. The women are not affiliated with the Obama campaign, and do not raise money for that cause. The group is not exclusive or restricted to women — all are welcome. They have no official terms of membership or dues. They are not sure what their next project may be.
“My only future goal is to keep having potlucks and to keep coming up with great ideas to help the community,” Susan Mitchell said. “I just think that when you have great energy together, you should keep it together.”
af116210@ohiou.edu
