Artivism, which is a combination of art and activism, is a student-led grassroots organization at Pace that formally started two years ago. While working with faculty, CCARNY (Center for Community Action and Reserach), the Art and Peace and Justice Studies department, the Women’s and Gender Studies Department, the club has built a majority of its contacts through social media as artists have the power to create and share the art that is meaningful to them.
Nelli Agbulos, one of the two founders of Artivism, obtained her undergrad degree in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies, and is now obtaining her Masters in Public Administration in Non Profit Work. Ailsha Thompson is the other founder of Artivism and Critisan Abbrancati is the Event Coordinator.
“Arts are a great way to talk to people,” Nelli Agbulous said. “Arts are that middle ground and the way we approach social justice, art is a great medium to do that. We are challenging these norms and ideas because oppression is very easy to talk about but hard to address.”
The club’s mission is to relate to issues to art where each person can be apart of the conversation of social justice. Artivism is a blend of the formal and informal in order to include everyone so they can express themselves.
In the past, Artivism has conducted pop-up galleries where Pace students from different majors have displayed emotional pieces that relate them to social justice issues as well as gallery trips to the Museum of New York city.
Nelli hopes to incorporate walking tours of street art as well as more pop art galleries for Pace students. In addition, they want to hold weekly meeting in order meet new activists and artists, get feedback, and build an actual community at Pace.
“Art is always peaking around the corner,” Nelli Agbulous said. “You need to be passionate as well as claiming a place that remains interesting.”
Upcoming events for Artivism are a workshop with the Center for Community Action & Research, Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault: The Monument Quilt Workshop, and Gender Politics and Social Justice ARTivist Talk Series. The dates are now TBA but can be seen on their social media accounts!
If you are interested in getting involved with Artivism, you can visit room Y31 on the third floor of Pace to talk to Nelli. You can also email the club at artvistmgalleries@gmail.com as well as follow their Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook.