Jennifer Graham, left, and Susan Bergeron, right, pose in front of the newly-named Honoring and Uniting Building on the Georgia College campus.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Since the beginning of the nation’s history, art has been used as a way to express political and social ideas. 

So when a demonstration ostensibly in support of a statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Va. devolved into violence between white nationalists and and anti-racist protestors earlier this month, Susan Bergeron knew she was in a unique position to help. After seeing the violence in Charlottesville and other places in what has become an increasingly confrontational political climate in recent years, Bergeron joined with her friend Jennifer Graham to create a project that would allow local residents to express their opinions.

“I went to the anti-hate rally for the Middle Georgia Progressive Women, who were doing one on the Georgia College campus,” said Bergeron, owner of the newly-opened Mod Podge Mama art studio downtown. “With current events and things that were going on, I was already fired up, and that just added gasoline to the fire. I thought ‘Why not use my business and art to spark more conversation about race’? I wanted to shed light on the fact that maybe we’re not as progressed as we would like to be and kind of start that conversation, because you can’t improve on something unless you talk about it.”

Together with Graham, who directs the Women’s Center at Georgia College, Bergeron created a public art campaign for local residents, which the two have named ‘Paint Against Hate.’ The project, which is offered to Bergeron’s Mod Podge Mama patrons and GC students alike, will provide paint, a mini-canvas, and supplies to anyone wishing to express ideas through visual art. 

“It just seemed like a natural partnership, to foster that as an exhibit and use it to have a conversation,” said Bergeron from inside Blackbridge Hall on the GC campus. “Since it was just a couple weeks ago that we decided to do it, this Saturday at the studio is going to be the first time people are going to be able to come in and do some mini-canvases. I know Jennifer has some stuff scheduled here where people can come and do canvases too, and [we’re in the process] of getting a date for when we can have the exhibit open.”

Today (Saturday) at the Mod Podge Mama studio from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., local residents are invited to come and paint their own mini-canvas for inclusion in the exhibit. A $5 fee covers the cost of paint, supplies and hanging each canvas on the wall for the exhibit, and participants will have the option of keeping their work after the paintings are taken down. The exhibit will be one of the first of its kind to be held at the newly named Honoring and Uniting Building, otherwise known as ‘The HUB’, which houses the university’s Cultural Center, LGBTQ+ Center, Women’s Center, violence prevention and education programs, and veteran’s services, and the project’s anti-hate theme fits well with The HUB’s mission of inclusion for all.

“I’m just hoping that folks will have: A) an opportunity for some discussion to take place at these events, as well as an opportunity to be expressive and have an outlet for the things they’re feeling,” said Graham. “Art, I feel, is always expressive, but allowing folks who may not think of themselves as artists or as having talent come and paint is still therapeutic. It’s helpful to have that opportunity to express oneself.”

Although the project makes use of paint and canvas, residents lacking in artistic talent need not worry — each canvas is only 3′ x 3’. While GC students will have the opportunity to paint canvases intermittently in the next few weeks, Bergeron plans to open her studio during upcoming Saturdays to anyone wishing to contribute a piece. Although no final date has been set for the exhibit’s opening at Blackbridge Hall, the two said they are excited to open a dialogue about love and hate in the modern political climate.

“Art is always connected with social justice, but I also think it’s a good gateway for people,” said Bergeron. “Most people like to express themselves whether they think they have a talent or not, and I think using that as a channel into a larger discussion will be good.”

Submissions for the “Paint AGainst Hate” exhibit will be accepted this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. at the Mod Podge Mama, 116 N. Wayne St. Five dollars covers the cost of supplies and hanging each canvas, and works will be returned after the end of the exhibit.