If you’ve followed me for long, you know one of my favorite quotes: “Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” (Henry David Thoreau).
Shortly after the murder of George Floyd, I decided I wanted to help support the Black Lives Matter movement in some way. I started by watching and listening, trying to educate myself. Then I began this personal portrait project. I welcomed protesters into my studio during protests on the common in Plymouth, NH. I listened to peoples’ stories and shared their portraits.
Some of the portraits became part of a life-size, traveling exhibit from the summer of 2020 to Spring 2021. It was exhibited at six places – schools, universities, and the NH State House. Some of the portraits also became part of regular, group gallery exhibits.
I hope that these portraits will continue to invite every viewer to look closer. A closer look often creates empathy. Empathy creates understanding. Understanding builds community. As a collective project, I hope that these portraits also communicate the sense of unity that I see, among everyone who stands in protest for a better country for all of us.
Protest Portraits, Part I
We are seeing profound cultural change in the U.S. Urgent calls are being made to examine systemic racism in our country. Our tiny town in the mountains of New Hampshire is not an exception. Last Sunday I opened my studio to anyone present at the protests. Here ...Protest Portraits, Part II
This is Part II of a personal project. On June 14, I opened my studio to people who were protesting on the town common in front of my building in Plymouth, New Hampshire. You can see Part I HERE. I asked each person “Why do you protest?” “I want to be part of the ...Protest Portraits, Part III
The thing that is most striking to me about this project is how strong and determined people in my community are. I also love seeing our police officers and community members stand together against racism. This movement has not been without adversity, even in our small community. Organizers and participants have received ...Protest Portraits, Part IV
Shortly after the murder of George Floyd, I decided I wanted to help support the Black Lives Matter movement in some way. I started by watching and listening, trying to educate myself. Then I began this personal portrait project. I welcomed protesters into my studio during protests on the common in Plymouth, ...Protest Portraits Art Installation
Protest Portraits, a large-scale art installation, will be on exhibit on the Plymouth, New Hampshire town common from August 1-9, 2020. The public is cordially invited to an opening reception on Sunday, August 2, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. We respectfully ask that people wear masks and maintain social distancing. There will be live jazz music by ...“About What’s Going On”
Hopkinton Center for the Arts Online Juried Exhibit I’m pleased to have two portraits from my Protest Portraits series included in a virtual show called About What’s Going On, at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, Hopkinton, MA. The artworks and writings of artists from all over the US have been selected for this exhibit, which ...First Place in Juried National Exhibit
I’m pleased to announce that my portrait called “Protest Portrait #1: Trysten” has won first place in the Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ juried national exhibit called “About What’s Going On.” Two Protest Portraits were chosen for the exhibit. It includes work from 45 artists around the U.S. that speaks to the experience of ...Protest Portraits Exhibit Updates
It is not enough to simply declare oneself not a racist. I believe each of us has to actively do something to reverse the course of racism in this country. It will be different for each of us. I decided to support the Black Lives Matter movement with this traveling outdoor art ...“Justice”
The Art Guild Online Juried Exhibit I’m pleased to have two photographs from my Protest Portraits series included in a virtual show called Justice, at The Art Guild, Manhasset, New York. The artworks selected by the jury were deemed to “empower, unify, and inspire change.” The exhibit will be on view from August 27 – ...“Watershed”
Exhibition at the Carrie Able Gallery, NYC I’m pleased to be included in a group exhibition called “Watershed” at the Carrie Able Gallery, Brooklyn, New York. This exhibition is a benefit for Black Lives Matter and Young New Yorkers. My portrait called “Protest Portrait: Francois #2” will be on view and for sale as a limited edition print, ...Protest Portraits Exhibit to be Installed at the NH State House
Persistence pays off! We just got final approval – The Protest Portraits exhibit is going to the New Hampshire State House! It will be installed in front of the State House steps this Saturday and will be up through September 13, 2020. You can see more about this project here: https://maundymitchell.com/protest-portraits/Protest Portraits Exhibit – September Updates
In early August, we installed Protest Portraits exhibit for the first time on the Plymouth, NH town common. This was where the protests had been held. During the opening reception for that installation, Carolyn Lawson had a conversation with NH State Representative Joyce Weston. It was suggested that many people would like ...“Us: What divides us and what unites us?”
Exhibit at the Touchstone Gallery, Washington, D.C. I’m pleased to announce that one of my portraits, Protest Portrait: Nakiya #1, from the Protest Portraits series has been selected for an international online juried exhibit called “Us: What divides us and what unites us?” at the Touchstone Gallery in Washington, D.C. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18 – November 3, ...The 2020 FL3TCH3R Exhibit
Reece Museum, East Tennessee State University October 5 – December 11 I’m pleased to announce that three of my works from the Protest Portraits series have been selected for an international, juried exhibit called “The FL3TCH3R Exhibit,” at East Tennessee State University. “Protest Portrait: Trysten #1,” “Protest Portrait: Taejah #1,” and “Protest Portrait: Francois #2” Prints being framed ...“See My Color”
National Juried Exhibition by Women’s Caucus for Art of Greater Washington, DC I’m happy to announce that three of my portraits from the Protest Portraits series have been selected for a juried online exhibition by the Women’s Caucus for Art of Greater Washington, DC Area (WCADC). Protest Portrait: Samantha #2, Protest Portrait: ...Protest Portraits – October Updates
It has been a busy month for the Protest Portraits. We moved the large-scale outdoor art exhibit from Holderness School to Plymouth State University, where it was installed for ten days. Next, we installed it at New Hampton School for two weeks. Teachers and professors at each school incorporated the exhibit into ...2020 Top Nine
Nine Highlights and Nine Best-Loved Instagram Images of the Year As 2020 comes to an end I want to thank all of you for being here. This has been of year hard work, persistence, risk-taking, facing adversity, activism, innovation, and growth. Despite a 3-month shutdown with lots of ups and downs, I was able to adapt and stay ...Women’s Caucus for Art National Feature
The National Women’s Caucus for Art (WCA) distributes a monthly newsletter to its members. This year, they have a new section called “FIRED UP Activist Art.” I was honored to be the first featured artist in the January newsletter. My Protest Portraits exhibit was recognized as a contribution to the anti-racism movement. ...Plymouth Magazine Feature
Many thanks to Plymouth Magazine for including the Protest Portraits exhibit in an excellent article about the Black Lives Matter movement at Plymouth State University. The exhibit was displayed in front of the Hartman Union Building last fall as part of PSU’s initiative to address racism. You can download and read the entire issue for ...Artlines National Magazine Cover
I’m honored to have my work on the cover of Artlines magazine for their winter 2021 issue. Artlines is a bi-annual publication by Women’s Caucus for Art (WCA). The mission of the WCA is to create community through art, education, and social activism. The Artlines design team chose my portrait called “Nakiya,” from the Protest Portraits ...Eleven New Bronze Awards
The Portrait Masters Awards & Accreditation I am proud to announce that eleven of my portraits have each won a bronze award in the International Portrait Masters Awards competition & accreditation program, and three earned the merit “Bronze with Distinction.” Nearly 11,300 images were submitted from around the world and were judged anonymously by thirteen international, renowned ...Protest Portraits Exhibit Update
Spring 2021 It is not enough to simply declare oneself not a racist. I believe each of us has to actively do something to reverse the course of racism in this country. It will be different for each of us. My team and I will be moving the Protest Portraits exhibit out of storage soon and ...Protest Portraits – Final Installation
On April 24, my team and I installed the traveling, life-size Protest Portraits exhibit for the last time, at Lawrence Academy, near Boston, MA. There, they have been intentional about equipping their community with the skill of listening, and guiding them toward courageous conversations and strategies toward antiracism. Faculty incorporated the exhibit into their ...