Art and politics, Sheldon Art Museum’s “Voting is People Power” exhibition

“Voting is People Power” exhibition title wall at the Sheldon Art Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photo by Izzy Lewis

Encouraging viewers to interact with democracy, the Sheldon Museum of Art is showing the “Voting is People Power” exhibition. Opened on Aug. 15, the exhibition will be presented until Dec. 29. The gallery, found in the Cline Engagement Lab of the Sheldon, features works that capture the spirit of American politics. 

“Art is an amazing means of expression,” Oliver Estes, a senior art major and intern at the Sheldon, said. “It’s a great way to view the past in not just historical (contexts), but as a way to see how people felt during certain periods.”

Pieces in the exhibition vary, with works exploring the feeling of past elections, supporting political campaigns and advocating for voting rights. The works range from 1914 to 2008, providing a vast array of time periods. Having such a diverse gallery allows viewers to experience art and politics throughout the years.

“Voting is always very relevant,” Estes said. “Having people view their emotions or reflecting on current events through art… can be helpful for people to process and think about things that are currently happening.”

Dr. Erin Hanas organized the exhibit. She is the curator for academic and campus engagement at the Sheldon. Her curation of the exhibition is partly in conversation with other Big Ten college museums, which are also showing works relating to democracy and elections. 

“Art has this ability to communicate in ways that maybe words can’t,” Hanas said. “It invites multiple perspectives…We like to think Sheldon is a place that can catalyze conversations and help people listen across differences.”

The exhibition also features information about the upcoming election. One of the gallery walls is dedicated to education about voter ID laws in Nebraska, as well as key election dates. QR codes on the wall lead viewers directly to pages with links about voter registration, absentee ballots and voting rules in various states. 

“Students can engage in different points of view or different ideas about politics and expression,” Estes said. “It can help them process certain emotions, thoughts or feelings they may have.” 

The exhibition features a way for patrons to practice the art of voting alongside the works of art. An installation features a sign reading “VOTE!” calling viewers to vote. They do this by dropping a pompom in a jar for which painting they’d like to see put on display next semester. 

“Really, it’s to encourage folks to be active in the process of democracy in civic life,” Hanas said. “We’re not advocating that you have to vote one way or another.”

The Sheldon is partnering with organizations such as the Office of Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement, Husker Vote Coalition and Civic Nebraska to put on events throughout September and October. These events seek to build understanding between students while providing education about civic engagement and voting. 

Originally published for the Daily Nebraskan, read here.