WE CELEBRATED VOTING, the arts, community connection and civic power at “Vote for Civics” on June 2. Gratitude goes out to all the wonderful speakers, sponsors, performers, volunteers and Civic Circle team members who made this a heartwarming and successful gathering.
We gave our first “Art of Service” award to Busy Graham, executive director of Carpe Diem Arts, expressing thanks for her extraordinary arts and civic leadership in our community over more than three decades. Busy, in turn, applauded the timeliness of The Civic Circle’s mission, asking: “Has there ever been a more important time to encourage civic engagement? I don’t think so.”
State Senator Will Smith inspired us all with his rules of thumb for the practice of civics, including the vigorous pursuit of a mission, inclusive coalition-building, and humility. He commended The Civic Circle and Carpe Diem Arts for applying all three, and gave certificates of recognition to both groups, which he said “have been radically inclusive, they’ve had a vision and pursued it, and they’ve listened.”
Event Co-Hosts Jeffrey Slavin and Margo Reid spoke of the importance of voting and civic engagement. Jeffrey urged attendees to inform themselves about down ballot contests that may have the most impact on their daily lives, and to disregard polls that may make the outcome seem inevitable. Margo noted that arts are enriching, but “the political system and our participation in it is enriching, as well,” and that The Civic Circle brings the two together.
Chris Barclay, executive director of Arts on the Block, also talked about the intersection of democracy and the arts. “I believe art is for the people. I believe what we do here, and how we talk about and exercise our creativity, is all about the people,” he said. “It’s all about engaging young people and having them be empowered in our communities to determine what our communities will be.” Big thanks to Chris and to Arts on the Block for sharing its headquarters with The Civic Circle for this event.
We heard a valuable youth perspective from Praneel Suvarna, a Clarksburg High School rising senior and incoming Student Member of the Board of Elections. Though the SMOB elections generated 70 percent turnout, Praneel said, national election are leaving young voters feeling apathetic and disconnected, adding: “I believe that it’s critical to show young voters that their voice and their vote matters.”
A high point was the civic songs led by Nick Newlin and Alison Crockett, including Alison’s original song “I am a Human Being,” and The Civic Circle’s voting song “Democracy,” written by singer and teaching artist Uasuf Gueye, who happened to be in the audience. Nick also drew applause as the emcee of our lively "Generosity Auction." Our most popular creative activity was our collective voting poster, in which people completed the sentence “I vote because I care about …” with words and phrases like “Justice,” “Kids,” “Earth,” “Democracy,” and “My neighbors and community.” Thanks to all who made this a heartwarming and successful event!
