Andrea Downs.

A social practice and mixed media artist living in Baltimore, MD.

 

Andrea is so much more than those words might articulate. A fellow artist called her a “ray of sunshine and the promise of possibility.”  

 

I asked …

Andrea, what makes you you? 

What drives you towards teaching, advocacy and justice?

​

In 8th grade, Andrea was walking around the school hallways with a few friends early in the morning, before the start of school. This was a time of redistricting and change in the Columbus (Ohio) public school system. Two boys got into a physical altercation. A fight. Andrea wrote about it in her school journal and a teacher who read the entry suggested Andrea write an article in the school paper. Initially hesitant, Andrea decided to push through her fear and write something for the school paper. This was middle school, a time when most loathe the idea of sticking out. She found that using her voice felt powerful and she hasn’t stopped using her voice, her life, her art, her heart. Yes, she is now a middle school art teacher. She balances her life as a teacher, as an individual artist in her own standing and a facilitator, encourager, pathway to empower others to create their own art.

 

In 2018, she started a movement in Charlotte at the intersection of art, women, stories and community. It is called Airing Out the “Dirty” Laundry. Women initially met in homes and then in community spaces to create storytelling art. A way to resist and restore what felt dark and heavy. She has kept these beautiful, poignant pieces of art. Every single one. Neatly folded. As we spent time together and she unfolded the art, her hands took great care, treating each piece of art tenderly, as the treasure it is. She could turn and tell me each woman, each story.

 

Currently, Andrea lives in Baltimore, and we are once again on the precipice of what feels ominous and dangerous for so many women. She has served notice that the fire will be lit anew; the pathway ahead will be filled with old, familiar harms playing out in both old and new ways. 

 

We will endure through each other. 

We can’t do it alone.

 

-Tracy Watts

November 2024