DIY is the philosophy that ordinary people can learn to do what they don’t know how in order to fill a need, fix a problem or pursue a goal. As a social movement, the term connotes an ethic of anti-consumerism that equates self-reliance with active subversion against the consumer status quo. Implicit within DIY activities is the notion that personal efforts have socio-political consequence.

Artists Speak Up! is a series of community discussions held in cities across the southwest. Each event brings together a panel of DIY locals to reflect on the intersections of art, activism and commerce.

Why? Because why not discuss how individual voices collectively speak to our anti-consumerist foundations? The idea is NOT to showcase art or promote individuals artists, but to STIMULATE some self and communal reflection regarding the implications of online conduct on the nonconformist causes in which we collectively believe.

How? By asking questions (instead of seeking answers): 

• Is digital opportunity the same thing as digital opportunism?

• Is civic justice compatible with internet fame?

• What's the difference between artistic integrity and creative narcissism?

These questions – among others – are worth talking about.

Who

A motley crew of established DIY activists, filmmakers, musicians, scholars and entrepreneurs join emerging artists to offer (and invite) a balance of appreciative and critical perspectives on social media usage.

Panelists include

Sonny Kay, Sage Vaughn, Piper Ferguson, Yanira Cartagena, Paul Eckstein, David Wollock, Charon Nogues, Tara Reins, Rhea Tepp, Scott Leonard, Nobody, Annie Eversz, Dylan Corbett and MORE TBA*