Sticking it to the man

Anonymous artist creates an installation of sticky note art to represent ostracized peoples

Megan Riehle, Arts and Culture Editor|April 21, 2020

Beginning mid way through last school year, a student has installed a collection of art celebrating marginalized groups, providing access to mental health support outlets and representing a diverse group of gender and sexuality identities. The artist has expressed concerns of being punished, considering the artwork is technically vandalism of school property and because of those concerns they will remain anonymous. This art is all hand made by one person who desires to see people like themselves represented in the school. It is located in the library by the booth desks in front of the alcove.

 “I started doing this one day because I thought it was important, and I saw some hateful graffiti and I erased it and replaced it with this,” they said. 

They have been working on this project for months, and over that time they have had to do some repairs.  “People will deface it or tear it down, but whenever that happens I just replace it and add more,” they said. “If you’re gonna tear down one of them, you’ll come back and you’ll find two.” Even though not everyone has been supportive of this art, they are determined to keep their messages up for people who do appreciate it to see. 

Other students have been more appreciative of this art. “People will draw little hearts or write little messages around me artwork. It’s really nice,” they said. “There are some people who have heard that I’m the one doing this and they’ll come up to me while I’m sitting here working and they’ll tell me how much they love it and how important it is.” The artist is encouraged by the messages of love and admiration and these notes are what motivate the artist to continue. 

The purpose of this art was simple for the artist. “All I wanted to do with this is spread positivity and make somebody feel just a little bit better, feel a little bit more accepted and just show that we deserve to exist.”

This artist wishes to remain anonymous, partially for fear of getting in trouble but also to remain an incognito source of encouragement lurking around the school. “I’m not doing this for recognition, it’s just to spread positivity. I think it’s better if it remains a mystery anyways.”