(e)VENT is a drawing project that builds relationships between the arts community, non-profit organizations and the general public.

The objective is to provide a field for socially responsible thought and action. It is also a site for education, mobilization and celebration. This inaugural (e)VENT is a partnership between between the artist collaborators and the ACLU-Mass. Branch and will be a "Draw-In" protest of the Patriot Act and the threats to our civil liberties legislated by the Patriot Act.

Initial "Draw-In" Celebration: Saturday, May 1, 2004 Noon to 9 p.m.
On the day of the drawing, the gallery walls will be covered with 57 linear feet of drawing paper. This paper will be loosely gridded with text and interpretations from the Patriot Act and about the Patriot Act in order to provide a framework for drawing response.

(e)VENT will be structured as a drawing game, with rules designed to reflect aspects of the Patriot Act. We have developed a game structure that will be both fun and informative.

The rules of the game will allow participants much freedom, but there is no guarantee that participants' civil liberties will not be violated! The intent is to "make personal" the potential threats to civil liberties posed by the Patriot Act in its present form.

A team of artists called the P.T.A. (Project Team Artists) developed the game concept. This team, along with an expanded group of P.T.A. members, will be on-site during the drawing (e)VENT to assist with the drawing process. Information about the "game" aspects of (e)VENT will be emailed to all artists that have signed up to participate in advance of the date."

There are many gifted professional artists that have committed to participate in (e)VENT. The results will be visually profound.

If you cannot attend the day of (e)VENT, but would like to still participate by contributing a drawing in advance, let us know this when you sign-up. Choose "I'll participate but can't attend the May 1st event" from the pop-up menu at Artist Sign-Up site. We will send you guidelines for the drawings and arrange for pickup/delivery.

Drawing materials will be limited to colored pencils, colored markers(all kinds except toxic/strong odor), graphite sticks and pencils and Caran D'ache watercolor crayons. Materials will be provided. Donations of the above materials to a Community Chest for use by all would be greatly appreciated. Please let us know if you think you will donate materials when you sign-up.

(e)VENT is open to participation by the general public, both young and old. Also, there will be a strong presence from Boston's artist community. Artists please see the "Artist Call Flyer" and "Artist Sign-Up" under "How" on the main page.

(e)VENT will be accompanied by Food and Music. Check back for details as they develop.
This (e)VENT is free and open to the public. Donations may be made to the ACLU-Mass. Branch.

Viewing: Wednesday, May 5 –Friday, May 7. Hours: 12-5PM

Benefit Sale: $100 per square foot. Minimum size is 6" by 6" square for $50.
Saturday, May 8 2004
6PM to 9PM
Reception 6-8PM. Distribution of Sold Works 8-9PM.
Please RSVP here

Suggested Donation: $25 to benefit the ACLU-Mass Branch. Sale proceeds also benefit ACLU-Mass Branch.

Collectors can reserve the part of the drawing that they want most for only $100 a square foot. First come, first served. Volunteers will help divide and distribute the drawing so that anyone who wants a piece of artwork that provides material evidence of the first amendment can take it home

Initial Draw-In Celebration: Saturday, May 1, 2004 Noon to 10 p.m.

Viewing: Monday, May 3 –Friday, May 7. Hours.

Benefit Sale: Saturday, May 8 2004 from 6:00-9:00 PM.
Reception: 6-8PM. Drawing Sale and Distribution: 8-9PM

Gallery 535
535 Albany St., 4th floor
in Boston's South End artist loft and studion neighborhood.

Driving Directions:
From the South: I-93 North/RT-3 North towards Boston. Take the Southhampton St. Exit, towards Andrew Square., Exit # 16. Go 0.2 mi. Turn LEFT on Southhampton St. Go 0.6 mi. Turn RIGHT on Massachusetts Ave., go 0.1 mi. Turn RIGHT on Albany St., Go 0.5 mi. 535 Albany St.is on the Right across from the ?? Flower Markets and before Zapato's Shoes. Entrance is under the "Hidden Kitchen" sign. 4th floor, stairs or elevator on your left.

From the North: I-93 South/US RT-1 South towards Boston. Take the I-90 WEST/Albany St. Exit # 20, Go 0.1 mi. On exit, Stay LEFT towards ALBANY St. 0.1 mi. Continue on ALBANY St. bearing right. Go 0.6 mi. 535 Albany St. is on the Right, past Zapato's Shoes. Entrance is under the "Hidden Kitchen" sign. 4th floor, stairs or elevator on your left.

Parking:
There is metered parking available on Wareham, Plympton and Albany Sts. Parking may also be available in the
Flower Market lot, across the street from 535 Albany St.

From the "T": Silverline- "Union Square" stop. Washington St. to Cathedral, walk down road on either side of Cathedral to Harrison Ave. Malden St. intersects Harrison Ave. at fire station. Walk down Malden and at "Y" intersection, continue right 1 block down Wareham St. to the intersection of Albany St. Turn right and entrance is at 535 Albany St. under the "Hidden Kitchen" sign. 4th floor, stairs or elevator on your left.

Orange Line- "Back Bay" stop. Walk south down Dartmouth St. crossing Columbus Ave, to Tremont St. where Dartmouth turns into West Dedham St. Continue down West Dedham St. to Washington St. where West Dedham turns into Monsiegnor Reynolds past the Cathedral. Continue to intersection of Harrison Ave. and Malden Ave. Fire Station is on your right. Continue down Malden Ave. bearing right on Wareham St. one block to intersection of Albany St. Turn right and entrance is at 535 Albany St. under the "Hidden Kitchen" sign. 4th floor, stairs or elevator on your left.

What to Expect
At (e)VENT we intend to create a relaxed environment favorable both for conversation and creative energy. The Project Team artists will have constructed a visual armature designed to invite your response. You may contribute your drawing or writing response anywhere on the walls within the drawing armature. You may add to or expand upon the work of others. There are no rules other than to respect each others work.
What you contribute to the drawing does not need to be political in content. The action of showing up at an event such as this is the political part. There will even be parts of the drawing designed for coloring. We won't scold if you go beyond the lines.
Please do not worry about what you will contribute and whether or not it is an act of genius. This project is not about acts of genius. It is about action... period. Exclamation point! We can easily come up with many reasons to "not act". In fact, we've been told not to act, that events are out of our control, that we cannot make a difference, that there is no use in voting, etc., etc.,etc. Besides, you've already contributed just by showing up.
In addition to the drawing (e)VENT, the ACLU will be on-site for education and information about the Patriot Act and other related topics.
There will be a selection of good food and music to feed your belly and your brain throughout the day . Details coming.

What to Bring
Basic drawing materials will be provided but this is a BYOM or bring your own materials e(VENT). There will be a Community Chest where materials can be donated for project use. Craypas, pencils, crayons nontoxic markers, erasers, all forms of collage materials are encouraged. Donated materials should not require a fixative. (No charcoal or chalk) Paints: watercolors, poster paint, gouache, nontoxic only.

List of Participating Artists as of Feb/2004

Mary-Ann Agresti
Andrea Anderson
Laura Arena
Clare Asch
Myrna Balk
Janine Al Bayati
Bebe Beard
Susan Jane Belton
Rick Berlin
Kelvy Bird
Kathleen Bitetti
Meryl Blinder
Judy Kermis Blotnick
Cree Bruins
Carmela Cattuti
Linda Clave
Richard Charles Coit
Alfredo Conde
Jan Coresh
Rachel Dayson
Deborah Davidson
Elsbeth Deser
Katherine Desjardins
Jenny Dubuisson
Michael Eder
Marty Epp
Tamar Etingen
Phyllis Ewen
Magda Fernandez
Jason Fitz-Gerald
Ana Guera
Frances Hamilton
Gina Heeren
Heather Hobler-Keene
Lisa Houck
Emily Isenberg
Katherine Jackson
Peggy Jannino
Maura Jasper
Shea Justice
Deborah Kalin
Hiroko Kikuchi
James Kinny
Kathy Kneeland
Walter Kopec
Danielle Krcmar
Tamara Krendel
Melora Kuhn
Maria LaCreta
Linda Leslie
Julie Levesque
Salvatore Mancini
Nancy Marks
Natasha Mayers
Cathy McLaurin
Lazaro Montano
Aki Morizono
Shaari Neretin
Susan Newbold
Kate Nowell
Dave Ortega
Dan Osterman
Jenny Page
Linda Price-Sneddon
Ellen Rich
Katie Richardson
Jen Roberts
Patty Rosenblatt
Jo Ann Rothschild
Eleanor Rubin
Chris Sanderson
Jo Sandman
Joan Schwartz
Susan Scott
Eric Sealine
Anna Shapiro
Thea Shapiro
Mary Sherman
Melissa Shook
Roland Smart
Susan Stoops
Kate Sullivan
Sam Tan
Deborah Taylor
Dorothea Van Camp
Maria Leafdancer Termini
Margaret Tittemore
Amy Waltch
Clara Wainwright
Brigid Watson
Courtney Lee Weida
Heidi Whitman
Carolyn Wirth
Andy Zimmerman

Project Collaborators:
Linda Price-Sneddon and Jo Ann Rothschild

Project Core Group:
Deborah Kalin
James Kinny
Karen Pfefferle
Meg Rotzel
Anna Shapiro
Scott Sneddon

Project Team Artists:
Michael Eder
Magda Fernandez
Heather Hoebler-Keene
Cathy McLaurin
Anna Shapiro
Roland Smart

Because you've been jaded about "community" and apathetic about "politics" for a long time. It's time to try something different!

Because you've been told that government is evil and should be "drowned in the bathtub" and it just occurred to you that, "Hey, We are government!" and we're in danger of being drowned in the bathtub if we don't start participating.

Because "You've Got Something on Your Mind!".