SYMPOSIUMS

Spring 2026 Symposium | Public Art as a Radical Democratic Practice

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

The Spring 2026 Cross-LC Symposium will focus on Public Art as a Radical Democratic Practice.

Confirmed events of the day:

Kenneth Bailey will offer a keynote presentation on Public Art as a Radical Democratic Practice. Kenneth is the co-founder and director of methodology and strategy of the Design Studio for Social Intervention (ds4si). His interests focus on the research and development of design tools for marginalized communities to address complex social issues. With over three decades of experience in community practice, Bailey brings a unique perspective on the ethics of design in relation to community engagement, the arts and cultural action. Projects he has produced at ds4si include Action Lab, Public Kitchen, Social Emergency Response Center (SERC), People’s Redevelopment Authority and inPUBLIC. Bailey was a Visiting Scholar in collaboration with University of Tasmania and also a founding member of Theatrum Mundi NYC with Richard Sennett. His book Ideas—Arrangements--Effects: Systems Design and Social Justice (Minor Compositions, 2020) is co-authored with DS4SI) . He received his MFA in Public Action from Bennington College in 2021. 

Alumni artists and organizers Mika Gonzalez and Jenny Gutierrez will offer a workshop presentation on the creation of the SOURCE Mural of Resilience. This mural reflects the power, connectivity, and divinity of femmes and trans femmes of color in the fight for Black and Brown liberation. The medium was chosen for its ability to express political realities through collective imagination. From the conception of the project, the artists recognized the importance of working collaboratively and valuing the voices of many, and the mural was imagined and co-created by members of Hampshire College SOURCE (Students of Under-Represented Cultures and Ethnicities). This public artwork responds to a need to simultaneously claim space and to build resilience in community. Installed on the west-facing exterior wall of Franklin Patterson Hall, it stands as a permanent offering to past, present, and future communities of color at the College, working against white supremacy, patriarchy, and transphobia within the campus culture and far beyond. 

The Textile Activism class will facilitate the creation of an emergent collaborative artwork through the day. Everyone and every skill level is welcome to participate. Community members are encouraged to drop in any time throughout the day.

The Performance Project will introduce participants to the  Circle Practice process that is integral to their artistic and community work. 

More information coming soon.

For past symposiums, click here.