Making Art During Fascism

Creative Action mini-series to support the soul *and* civil society. Part 1: Beth Pickens.

Special Note: I’m removing the paywall to make this series on Creative Action FREE for all. We can only do this with the support of subscribing members. If you appreciate programs like this and want to support DrawTogether’s work in the world, please become a member. A little bit goes such a long way to keep DrawTogether’s work going and growing. Thank you. xoxo, w

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Hi friends.

Plans change. I was originally going to feature a fantastic, fun, fresh GUT visiting artist today to sync with the start of the school year. Then this happened:

Oof.

This on top of the DC take-over, and a big shake-up at one of my favorite museums, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery: A few weeks ago, artist Amy Sherald cancelled the NPG’s exhibition of her show “American Sublime” which had hugely successful runs at SFMOMA and then the Whitney. She made this decision to cancel it after the museum expressed “concerns“ about presenting her painting Trans Forming Liberty. The painting depicts the trans femme model and performance artist Arewà Basit posing as the Statue of Liberty, her torch aflame with flowers. The NPG’s proposal? They wanted to add an accompanying video that “included anti-trans views.” (No, sadly not kidding.)

Amy Sherald’s Trans Forming Liberty. As Sherald’s muse Arewà Basit said, “There are some moments where I think the world tries to tell us that being proud is a negative thing. Whether that be because of legislation, or the administration, or other social systems that will try to tell me that I shouldn’t be proud of who I am, I can always look back to this image and be reminded that the lack of pride will never serve me like the pride serves me.” Image via Artforum, quote via Whitney Museum Audio Guide.

Rather than compromise her integrity and the integrity of her work, Amy Sherald published this statement:

“I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities. At a time when transgender people are being legislated against, silenced, and endangered across our nation, silence is not an option.”¹

Now THAT is how you do. Thunderous applause from me, Ms. Sherald. Thank you for walking the walk.

Earlier this summer, Kim Sajet, the longtime director of the National Portrait Gallery, resigned after Trump tried to fire her (though the Smithsonian Board of Regents asserted he did not have that authority). Sajet said of her time at the Smithsonian, “Together, we have worked to tell a fuller, more American story — one that fosters connection, reflection and understanding.”² (WE LOVE YOU, KIM!)

These events hit close to home not just because of my relationship with Kim and the National Portrait Gallery, but also as an American, an artist, a queer person, and a human being. We have to ask, who does this kind of censorship and intimidation serve? And how do we challenge it? How do we, as artists, fight?

This reminded me of this quote from Toni Morrison:

And it made me think: what can we the Grown-Ups Table and our 100K+ strong DrawTogether artists do right now? This isn’t only happening in America. There is a trend towards tyranny in so many places in the world right now. It’s all connected. So how can we strengthen our resolve for the long haul? How can we commit to staying creative and making art in times like these?

Today we’re launching a three-part series on fighting tyranny with creativity. Authoritarians want compliance. Not creativity. So let’s double down on making, and do it together.

I honestly believe it’s a rally cry for our times: Let’s Draw Together.

PART 1: BETH PICKENS

There is nobody better to kick us off than my friend Beth Pickens. Beth and I know each other from the queer/artist/writer scene in SF. And also, she is trained as a therapist, and I am trained as a social worker, and we both bring that training to bear on our own art and creative practices in unusual ways. Most important, Beth literally published this: Making Art During Fascism. The pamphlet (which evolved into her book Your Art Will Save Your Life) is based on a series of workshops she held at the Feminist Center for Creative Work in Los Angeles after Trump was first elected in 2016. And, well, it’s even more relevant today.

Beth works with many artists as a counselor, and hosts her online group “Homework Club,” counseling, skill-development, and accountability for working artists. I keep her most recent book is Make Your Art No Matter What on the shelf right next to my desk at home. And one at my studio. It’s a balm and artist’s bible, and I can’t recommend it enough.

I called Beth on Zoom and we had a good long chat about why it’s more important than ever for artists to make art, and make it TOGETHER.

A 30 minute gab fest about art, self-care, sustainability, collective action, and the importance of making things because you believe in them and doing it with people you love.

I’ll share this conversation with you on WEDNESDAY to keep our creative energy up. :)

Today, we kick off with some highlights from Beth’s pamphlet Making Art During Fascism, and an assignment to get you started thinking about YOUR role as an artist and creative person in the current climate, and get your hands moving.

Making Art During Fascism: Highlights

Beth kicks off MADF with something VERY relatable. She shares that many of her clients come to their sessions asking if making art in tough times is selfish and ineffective. (Have you ever felt that way? I have.)

Beth responds with this powerful statement:

Anytime you start to feel overwhelmed by humanity’s impact on people, animals, and the planet, anytime you see the awful, smug faces of fascist leaders, anytime you think you cannot leave the house because the world is too hard, I want you to think about the art, performance, music, books, and films that have made you want to be alive. Think of how those artists, like you, probably felt overwhelmed by their life and times but they made the thing anyway. Your future audiences need your work and you need to make it. …

I recommend writing that out and taping it above your drawing desk.

MADF is a call for artists to keep making their art while engaging with the world. Not either/or, but BOTH/AND. It offers space to reflect on prompts to guide their creativity during fascism. Beth writes,

We don’t know what will happen day to day and that can be dizzyingly overwhelming. Historically, during oppressive regimes and fascist governments, it is the brave and creative ones who lead, who solve problems, incite, inspire, organize, comfort, satirize, and reflect. Your work will be more important than ever. You have no idea who needs the art you are making. You are not alone. You have what you need for your life, for art, and for justice.

Beth’s book Make Your Art No Matter What picks up that thread with Beth reflecting on how she came to her current career of working with artists and advocating for artists who identify as queer or are from marginalized communities:

I have always been deeply devoted to a constellation of social issues, trying to commit myself to them all. Over time, I became so burned out by so much social justice work, but artists and arts advocacy never burned me out. Art was, for me, a consistent way back into working for change. Engaging with art, listening to artists talk about their work, and reading about art histories fueled me, replenishing my emotional coffers when they were drained by our dominant culture and political system.

I scribbled out the above a couple months ago, and I think it relates a lot to what Beth is talking about. And also, Beth reminds us that making art is what keeps us artists healthy and sane. If we don’t make art, we can’t show up fully for anyone else. It starts with US. We need to work from the inside out. So today, let’s start with the inside.

Assignment: Self-Inventory for Creative Action

Beth’s zine offers a series of thoughtful prompts meant for you to assess what you have to contribute and what actions work best for who you are. These prompts build on where we started with “focus” a couple weeks ago. We chose a handful of her prompts to share with you here. I strongly encourage you to get the full inventory by downloading the PDF here - it’s only 6 bucks and all proceeds go to the Feminist Center for Creative Work, and buying the book she turned it into: Your Art Will Save Your Life.

Step 1: Ask yourself these questions

• What can I offer? (Time, money, specific skills, equipment, previous experience, space, etc.) What do I not have to offer currently?

• What is an issue or area that directly affects me which I want to focus on? What is an issue or area that does not directly affect me which I want to focus on?

• Are there opportunities for coalition building?

• What do I need to be well: 1. Physically 2. Mentally 3. Emotionally 4. Financially 5. Spiritually

• In what ways do I want my [art] practice to be integrated into my activism? In what ways do I want them separate?

Step 2: Using Text and/or Drawing, journal your responses to these questions. Consider using diagrams, hand-lettering, symbols and drawings to explore each topic. Focus on what is going on right now that feels personal to you.

Step 3: While our first Assignment is personal, some of you may want to share with others. While this lesson and assignment are open to ALL, we are keeping the GUT community chat exclusively for GUT members to maintain a safe community space.

Reminder for those of you in the chat: this is a great way to find common cause with each other, and connect around issues you share. Remember it’s called DrawTOGETHER for a reason.

COMMENTS: I’d love to hear how YOU are creatively coping with the moment we are in. Leave a note in the comments about any actions, creative or otherwise, you are taking to resist and build the world you want to see.

Parts 2 and 3 are coming up, and be sure to watch my convo with Beth on Wednesday.

PENCILS UP! ❤️✏️❤️

xoxo

w

PS - I want to give a special thanks to our editor

Candace Chen

for rolling up her sleeves and diving into this with me, especially as school starts! When she is not working with us at DrawTogether, Candace is a historian (oh hiiii PhD) and leads the history department at a prestigious high school in the bay. We are So lucky that she brings her thoughtfulness, research skills, knowledge and curiosity to the Grown-Ups Table. WE LOVE YOU CANDACE!!

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The GUT Gallery!

GUT member flower drawings hanging in my studio :)

A great example of creative action is our gathering at SFMOMA to draw together and honor the work and community/creative practices of Ruth Asawa. We met, connected, and drew flowers together, including a giant 5 panel collaborative drawing based on a giant, gorgeous arrangement created by Torryne Choate of birch. For last week’s assignment, we shared a photo of that arrangement and invited all GUT members around the world to choose a small moment and contribute a drawing to an online collaborative drawing. A flower quilt, of sorts. Here is what you made together.

PS. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make the live recording happen. I did my best, but technology got in the way, and it was one big snafu. We will set things up beforehand for the next gathering! Thanks for learning with me. ;)

Kathryn, Debbie A, Jill Jones, Mina J, Finn Star, Catherine Stifter, Tanya Mueller, Laura DunnART, Bronwyn, Patti, Alyssa Wodtke, Liza Patsalidou, Anshika, Kay, Erica P, Tracey Kessler, Lisa Bahlinger, Adri Liws, Linda Z, Jody

1. Robin Pogrebin, “Amy Sherald Cancels Her Smithsonian Show, Citing Censorship,” New York Times, July 24, 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/arts/design/amy-sherald-smithsonian-censorship.html.

2. Robin Pogrebin and Graham Bowley, “Smithsonian Museum Director Trump Said He Fired Decides to Step Down,” New York Times, June 13, 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/arts/design/kim-sajet-resigns-smithsonian-national-portrait-gallery.html.