On Wednesday Night at the Clementine Cafe, a local restaurant and lounge downtown, something interesting happened. Community members and students alike gathered in Clementine's basement, also known as Ruby's Lounge, and partook in a grassroots gathering with a twist. As I entered the side door of the cafe and crept down into the dimly-lit basement I noticed artwork on the walls. No this wasn't your typical artwork such as paintings or photographs, this was expert graphic design with a meaning and a message. I smiled at some familiar faces and friends and began appreciating the artwork at a deeper level than at first glance. When I approached the posters I noticed that each scene was finely drawn and each figure was a metaphor that represented a grander meaning. Small chit-chat occurred within small groups as we awaited the presentation. Molly and Kyle took the stage and introduced the Beehive Design Collective (check out their website and facebook page)!
Here's the gist: The Beehive Design Collective uses graphic design to bring to light environmental, social and political issues happening in the United States and abroad. The really amazing thing about the Beehive Design Collective is that it is 100% volunteer-driven and a non-profit organization. Its purpose is to "cross-pollinate the grassroots" by creating collaborative, anti-copyright images that can be used as educational and organizing tools. Based in Machias, Maine this organization now prints 20-30,000 graphic prints (posters) in a full run which are then distributed all across the world and sold for donations at events such as the one on Wednesday. The goal is to create both awareness and grassroots action.
Wednesday night's presentation was focused on "MesoAmerica Resiste" a graphic design, 9 years in the making which was released this past summer. The Beehive Design Collective spent 4 months traveling from Puebla, Mexico to parts of Panama and interviewing a broad spectrum of people from students to union organizers, factory employees, agricultural workers, entomologists and more. The issues addressed in "MesoAmerica Resiste" include free trade, globalization, privatization, the war on drugs, and megadevelopment, all of which are social and political issues affecting Central America. The presentation encourages a conversation amongst its viewers to express their feelings on the topics discussed.
The best part of the evening is after the presentation when all the attendees roam the room and talk about what they experienced. There is a real sense of community and a passion to make a positive impact on these negative social issues. It is nice to talk to people within the community and share ideas. It is the exact goal of the Beehive Design Collective, starting a grassroots gathering and "pollinate" the positive conversation. Check out their website for a grassroots gathering near you!
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| Molly educates listeners on social, political, and environmental issues happening in Central America |
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| The intricate design of the posters uses symbolism and animals to illustrate these issues |
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| Posters for sale by donation |
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| Grassroots conversation sparked |
~Ryan
"Community organizing is all about building grassroots support. It's about identifying the people around you with whom you can create a common, passionate cause. And it's about ignoring the conventional wisdom of company politics and instead playing the game by very different rules." - Tom Peters
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