AMEND

AMEND commemorated the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, also known as Women’s Suffrage. This exhibition brings to the forefront the continued fight for true universal suffrage by promoting and supporting initiatives that combat voter suppression and advocate for expanding voting rights, while recognizing the work of the suffragists. To amend, is to make minor changes (in a text) in order to make it fairer, more accurate, or more up-to-date. To amend, is to modify (formally), to make better, to improve. To amend, is to put right.

Secret Identity Projects invited 100 female (she/they) identifying jewelers to design a piece of jewelry using the “I Voted” sticker as a jumping off point; charging them to interpret the brief any way they like. Jewelry artists and metalsmiths from all levels of career and expression, from emerging to master—production to wearable sculpture—are included in the exhibition. The works demonstrate a broad range of subject matter and concern, taking on a multitude of forms and making declarations, some subtle, some not, about voting equity and the messy and complex history that includes.

The 2020 iteration of the exhibition supported Black Voters Matter through a financial contribution generated from sales of the work. In total, AMEND raised $10,660.95 for BVM.

Black Voters Matter is a 501c4 organization dedicated to increasing power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities. They aim to increase voter registration and turnout, advocate for policies to expand voting rights and access, develop infrastructure where little, or none, exists, and fund activities related to specific elections. “Our goal is to increase power in our communities. Effective voting allows a community to determine its own destiny.” (BVM)

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