‘America Runs on Biden’: Political art gets a show at Waterbury Grange Hall

February 9, 2024  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

Posters created by local 'artivists' illustrate issues in the presidential election this year. Image courtesy of Indivisible Mad River Valley

The grassroots progressive local group Indivisible Mad River Valley and Waterbury has organized a presidential election-year project of political poster art that will be on view at the Waterbury Grange Hall Cultural Center on Feb. 14. 

The first showing of the exhibition “America Runs on Biden” features 17 textile posters created by group members. The themes of the posters aim to illustrate the achievements of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s administration, according to the group. 

This poster incorporates a QR code that links to the Biden-Harris administration's website. Courtesy image

“Do you sometimes wonder what Biden has accomplished?” the event announcement asks. 

The exercise was a first-time community-building experiment in “artivism” – a combination of activism through art – by individuals interested in the concept but who do not usually create art. 

The results are collage posters created with a variety of techniques illustrating themes specific to issues the Biden administration has focused on. 

“We hope each viewer will enjoy our art, and leave the show with a deeper understanding of how the Biden-Harris administration has been creating ‘Progress for the People,’” the announcement says. The latter term refers to a specific poster in the show. 

The exhibit opening and artist reception will be held Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Grange Hall Cultural Center, 317 Howard Ave., Waterbury.