Dear Friends,
The seasons are changing.
The unprecedented heat waves of the summer have subsided for now, school is starting, the art world is getting back into gear, performance season is beginning, and new stories are waiting to be told. Amidst all this, another consequential election is rapidly approaching, a reminder of the power and responsibility we each hold.
My grandfather, born in 1931 in the small rural community of Ethel, Louisiana, deeply understood this duty. At his recent memorial service, my uncle shared a story about an exchange they had shortly after he’d graduated high school. One day, after coming home from work, my grandfather met my uncle at the door. Without any greetings, my grandfather asked if he had registered to vote. The Voting Rights Act was still new, and it was something my grandfather had been urging my uncle to do for some time, especially since my grandfather had only recently been granted the universal right to vote. When my uncle replied no, my grandfather told him not to come home until he did. That was the standard in our family: voting wasn’t just a right; it was a commitment we made to ourselves and our community. It was about taking ownership of our voices and our impact.
As we approach this critical election season, I’m reminded of my grandfather’s insistence on making our voices heard. Whether you’re in a small rural town in Louisiana or in Bed-Stuy, one of the largest historically Black neighborhoods in the U.S., our voices and experiences are our power. The stories we tell and the choices we make today will shape the future for generations to come.
This fall at The LP, we are making space for voices to be heard and for change to take shape through our collective actions. In our Liberation Series, curated by artist and LP alum Wema Ragophala, we’ll use conversation and artmaking to reflect on what it means to be the seeds of our ancestors’ wildest dreams. We’ll delve into strategies for civic engagement across neighborhoods in the five boroughs, demystifying meaningful ways to participate. We’ll build practices that nurture our mental health and wellness through challenging times. Our Artists-in-Residence will craft hands-on experiences, inviting you into their projects and creative processes through Open Studios.
As we navigate this season of change, let’s honor those who came before us by raising our voices and taking action. Join us at The LP to not only reflect on our past but to shape our future—together. Through storytelling, civic engagement, and nurturing our well-being, we are the stewards of our community’s legacy. Let’s make this a season of powerful voices and transformative change.
In community,
Ayesha
About the Author
Ayesha Williams is the Executive Director of The Laundromat Project. Ayesha is an arts professional with almost two decades of experience working with visual artists, presenting programs, and generating funding for commercial galleries and nonprofit institutions. Prior to The LP, she managed Visual Arts at Lincoln Center and served as the Director of Kent Gallery, New York. In addition to her professional experience, Ayesha is on the board of Rivers Institute for Contemporary Art & Thought and a member of Independent Curators International Independents. She also served as a Steering Committee member of the UN Women’s Conference. She received her Master’s degree in Visual Arts Administration from New York University and Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of Southern California, Los Angeles.