This year’s annual AIGA poster show, at Handmade Toledo, has a different twist— all submissions are designs of protest. The right to protest is a fundamental American privilege, and how and what we choose to protest reflects our society and our values. Call to Action: The Design of Protest celebrates artists’ voices while honoring freedom of expression.
Powerful Voice
The Toledo chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) will showcase the impact that protest art can have on our views and the potential it holds to change the course of history: “More than almost any other form of communication, protest art and design reminds us of an undeniable fact: your voice is powerful,” says Liz Bayan, AIGA Chair of Diversity & Inclusion and BGSU Instructor of Graphic Design.
The basis for the organization’s idea for the show came from “(o)ur Vice President, Jacob Parr, brought Bonnie Siegler’s new book, Signs of Resistance, to a chapter meeting. We were all immediately enthusiastic about how the book highlights design through the history of protest posters.”
Artwork submissions are compiled from the local community and neighboring cities. One standout recent submission is a work by Amos Kennedy of Detroit’s Kennedy Prints. Bayan describes, “He sent us a letterpress poster printed on a folded-up travel map! The work is poignant in its message, but also tremendously creative in the choice of using a travel map as an added layer of visual messaging.”
Aware and raising funds
The annual poster show is the main fundraising event for the Toledo chapter of AIGA. All proceeds will directly benefit AIGA Toledo to raise sufficient funds for the year in order to “expand our programming to reach more people in Toledo’s creative community,” clarifies Bayan, adding, “It is also our hope that the theme of the poster show will inspire people to elevate their voice through the broad practice of design.”
Artwork submissions will be accepted until September 15. See the Facebook event page or the website below for more details.
Call to Action: The Design of Protest, Saturday, Sept. 22, 7-9 PM. Handmade Toledo, 1717 Adams St., Toledo. $5 AIGA/$10 Non-AIGA (presale). $10 AIGA/$15 Non-AIGA (door). Tickets available through Eventbrite.com
