In a letter sent to History Colorado Center (“Center” or “HCC”) President and CEO Dawn DiPrince, the National Coalition Against Censorship, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado condemned the Center’s decision to exclude artwork that contained criticism of Colorado public officials — including two U.S. Senators and the state’s governor — from an upcoming exhibition because History Colorado Center administrators raised unfounded concerns that the display would be in violation of the state’s Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA).
Three new paintings by Madalyn Drewno were slated to appear in the Center’s exhibition titled Big Dreams in Denver’s Little Saigon, set to open October 20th. However, just days before, Drewno received notice that HCC claimed the display of one of her works would put the Center in violation of the FCPA, which prohibits the government, including government-run entities like HCC, from making contributions to a candidate running for office.
As the NCAC, FIRE, and the ACLU of Colorado explain in their letter, the Center’s interpretation of the FCPA — that it applies to the display of art that expresses criticism of sitting public officials — is inconsistent with the FCPA, would stifle artistic freedom and violate the First Amendment.
“History Colorado Center has censored an invited artwork that includes pointed criticism of elected officials in Colorado” said Elizabeth Larison, Director of the Arts and Culture Advocacy Program at the National Coalition Against Censorship. “This decision silences the artist and deprives the public of a critical opportunity to engage in a broader conversation about the pressing topics evoked within the targeted work. HCC’s reckless action against Drewno’s work disregards a core First Amendment principle that restricts government actors from interfering with expressive activity because it finds the expression unfavorable or disagreeable.”
Drewno’s censored work, titled None of Us Are Free Until All of Us Are Free, depicts two community members of the Little Saigon business district sitting together on a couch against a backdrop of chrysanthemums, lanterns, and lion dancers collaged between images of immigrants detained by ICE, prominent activists, protests, and unflattering portrayals of two U.S. Senators from Colorado and the state’s governor. Censoring this expression conflicts with the Center’s goal of centering local communities, deepening knowledge, and catalyzing the transformative power of history. NCAC, FIRE, and the ACLU of Colorado urge HCC to acknowledge its wrongdoing, publicly apologize to the artist, and take steps toward reinstating the work within its intended exhibition.
Read the full statement here