DNC's Manifest Hope Art Exhibit Opens to the Press

While the Manifest Hope art exhibit opens to the public on Monday, August 25, at 10a.m., the momentum that's powering Obama-themed art creation was clearly felt at this afternoon's preview in lower downtown Denver.

Today, the much-anticipated exhibit was opened to the press for a two-hour peek. Many of the artists, including Shepard Fairey and Ron English and Ray Noland, were on hand to pose for pictures and give interviews -- mostly about the intersection between this election and graphic imagery. Organizers say the event "shines a spotlight on artists across the nation who use their voices to amplify and motivate the grass roots movement surrounding the Obama Campaign."

The event, held at the Andenken Gallery and in an open warehouse space next door, is a well-choreographed meeting between some of the world's most visible, young modern artists and other lesser-knowns, who landed their work on the walls through a contest that the event sponsored.

Ray Noland's "Obama's Got Next" basketball-themed art has developed a cult-like following, This landed him a headlining spot in the exhibit, along with the endlessly popular and almost disturbingly prolific Shepard Fairey who's Obama HOPE print made him the campaign's unofficial graphic designer.

The exhibit is powerful and thoughtful. With every format from sneakers and socks to canvas and concrete, Manifest Hope is a vivid, wildly colorful exhibit of propaganda and opinion art. Low-brow street art fans and politicos alike will find the 15-block walk from the convention to the gallery well worth the effort.

One of the event's organizers, Jennifer Gross, says it is all about opening the doors to the public. "We just want people to come down here and see this art. That's it." Her hope is as simple to grasp as the exhibit's singular theme: Elect Barack Obama.

The Gallery will be open Monday 8/25/2008 through Thursday 8/28/2008 from 10am until 5pm. On Wednesday night the 27th, the street art will push into the streets with live music from the Siversun Pickups, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, DJ Z-trip and Nada Surf. According to Gross, tickets will be distributed at the Gallery throughout the week, but the details have not yet been ironed out. Details can be found here: http://manifesthope.com