Square Deal: Fifty Artists for Democracy opens at 5PM on September 5 at ’57 Biscayne studios and online.

Four years ago, terrified at the thought of another four years of the far right running the country, I organized a benefit for the Movement Voter Project (MVP) in cahoots with my fellow artists at ’57 Biscayne. MVP funds grassroots organizations in swing states and districts, empowering voters and protecting our rights. While that’s critical to the upcoming presidential race, MVP also plays the long game, paying attention to races up and down the ballot. And they make it easy for us blue-state types to fundraise and make a difference across the country.

So we’re at it again. Beginning September 5 at 5pm, our dedicated donation link will open. Anyone who donates $200 or more to MVP gets to pick out an original piece of art, created by one of fifty wonderful and generous Seattle artists who want to do their part in assuring the future of democracy.

The live event will take place at 110 Cherry Street, where there will also be open studios. Come to the third floor, and you can donate from your phone or from a monitor we’ll have onsite, show us your receipt, and pick out a piece of art.

At the same time, a website will go live so that donors across the country can participate. If you’re already on my mailing list, you’ll get an email on September 5 with all the links. (You can sign up on the sidebar of my news page.) Or just bookmark this page and set a reminder for September 5.

All the artworks are code-named with states for now, but when you pick yours out you’ll find out who made it. The show features work by the following artists:

Al Doggett
Alexia Rose
Ann Marie Schneider
Aubrey Rosencranz
Barbara Robertson
Bill Gaylord
Catherine Trapani
Charlie Spitzak
Chris Crites
Chris Rollins
Christina Reed
Clare Johnson
Dara Solliday
Dawn Endean
Eric Eschenbach
Erin Shigaki
Esther Ervin
Fulgencio Lazo
George Abeyta
Grego Rachko
Jane Richlovsky
Janée Kreinheder
Jed Dunkerley
Jeff Scott
Johanna Christianson
Kamla Kakaria
Karey Kessler
Kelda Martensen
Kelly Lyles
Lin Lin Mao
Liz Ewings
Magda Baker
Marie Stuppard
Mary Ann Carter
Matthew Potter
Megan Gottfried
Pat DeCaro
Patrick Connelly
Richard Hutter
Rickie Wolfe
Robert Hardgrave
Romson Bustillo
Savina Mason
Siobhan McCloskey
Sue Springer
Suzanne Kaufman
Suze Woolf
Thomas Schwoerer
Toni Page
Lynn Rosscamp