Art is for all—but only if the leadership fights for it.

 

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE ART. 🎨✊🏽📝

 A lot of people think art just "happens." It doesn't. It takes grants, supplies, and leaders who aren't afraid to break the "old way" of doing things.

​Since 2016, I’ve been in the trenches of civil rights and public art in Dorchester. I’ve seen organizations and groups use my ideas for "inspiration" while withholding the actual resources. As the artist who advocated for and designed the initial Harriet Tubman homage for the museum—and laid the untold groundwork for organizations that are now in their "well-established phase"—I’ve seen firsthand who shows up, who doesn’t, and all the in-between.

​You would be surprised how many claim to be "all about diversity" and "community connection" Until the time comes to actually commence the work, funding and equitable treatment that are necessary. Many only showed up if it glorifies them or their agenda. A cycle of being kept in the shadows while my work was used to move projects forward isn't 'collaboration'—it’s erasure. While I kept pouring out to those who took and didn't pour back, Barb Seese showed up and brought the true essence of collaboration.

​Barb Seese was the one of the few in Dorchester area who changed that cycle. She was the leading advocate that made sure resources, opportunities, grants, and supplies reached the artists and the community actually doing the work.

​For close to a decade, Barb Seese has been the heartbeat of the Dorchester Center for the Arts (DCA) and a tireless advocate for the artists of Cambridge. She didn't just sit in an office; she did the "public footwork" when the organization was nowhere to be found.

​Recently, Barb was terminated abruptly with no notice and no acknowledgement of her contributions past and present.

​Why this matters to our community:

As the designated County Arts Council, the DCA is publicly funded to serve everyone. Barb Seese ensured that happened. She broke the old patterns of "insider favorites" and opened the doors to every artist, regardless of skin color or popularity.

​Under Barb’s leadership, we saw:

The Harriet Tubman "Take My Hand" Mural

 Barb played a pivotal role in the creation of this iconic landmark, an image that has drawn global attention and positioned Cambridge and Dorchester County as key destinations for heritage tourism. 

​True Diversity:

She successfully acquired grants to provide resources for several emerging non-profit organizations during their initial phases, In addition to supporting the Black Lives Matters community project and documentary, and most recently, the Latin Heritage Mural project collaboration—all while navigating personal health challenges.

​Fair Pay for Artists:

She provided guidance and support to ensure artists received fair compensation for their skills, ensuring no gift was misused or undervalued.

​Resource Sharing: She made sure MSAC (Maryland State Arts Council) opportunities reached new organizations and artists who were just starting out, providing them with the supplies and guidance they needed to thrive.

Concern for the Future:

By firing the person responsible for the DCA’s most inclusive era, the Board of Directors has signaled a potential retreat to a less diverse, less transparent past. We can’t allow our community’s progress to be erased

Our Demands

Provide transparency: Explain to the public how you intend to maintain the equity and diversity Barb spent close to a decade building, when the board was so rarely involved. 

​Acknowledge Her Impact: Issue a formal public recognition of Barb Seese’s foundational contributions to the Dorchester County arts scene, both currently and throughout the years.

​Sign this petition to tell the DCA Board that we stand with Barb, and we stand for an inclusive Cambridge.