The Underground is a community-based project designed to connect the public with art and encourage different forms of artistic expression. In conjunction with the nonprofit organization for artists, Artist of Tomorrow, the Underground grew from the belief that every single one of us has something unfathomably important to say, and the desire to communicate that makes us, on some level or other, artists.

With the Underground, we want to give everyone in the world the opportunity to break down barriers of communication. We dare you to find creative ways to communicate what you really think, what you really feel, what you really believe--the kind of things that you can't text, IM, or even say to your closest friends. We believe that's the essence of art, and we dare you to make art out of the essence of who you are.

Whether anonymously or (if you're feeling bold) "publicly," we want you to create a drawing, painting, photo, poem, story, sculpture, or whatever else you can think of that conveys a piece of yourself, and we want you to leave a photocopy of it in public--a bulletin board, park bench, gas station, someone's mailbox, etc. Be sure to write "Visit the Underground at theunderground.artistoftomorrow.org." somewhere on the photocopy, then take a picture of it and email it to us. In this way, we can create a community of artists both online and in the "real world" (public, if you will) with the goal of broadening our perspectives and understanding each other.

If you see someone else's Underground artwork, you are welcome to take a picture of it and send that to us as well. However, make sure that you're familiar with national and local laws and are not littering when you leave Underground art out for people to see. All artwork on the site will be posted anonymously unless you indicate otherwise.

We will also be tracking the ways in which art moves us by circulating Underground notebooks. The idea is to leave a piece of art in it and pass it on by giving it to a friend or leaving it in a public place where another artist will see it. When it has been filled completely, the last person will mail the notebook to us, at which point we'll post scans of the art that people have put into it. If you've found an Underground notebook, please take the time to look at what other people have created and said, and contribute to the project by creating something meaningful to you...because what you have to say matters.

If you have any suggestions for us, please let us know by contacting us. Thank you very much for your help!

The Underground is sponsored by Artist of Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and providing resources for artists and to broadening public understanding through art.




Charlie Grey
charlie.grey@artistoftomorrow.org

Hey there! I'm Charlie Grey, but you can call me Grey. Here are some facts about me: Art runs in my blood, and I try to be as much of an artist as I can. I'm an explorer, and I enjoy exploring abandoned places. I'll be happy to answer any questions or anything else regarding the Underground.




Need some help participating in the Underground? Meet up with a community organizer near you!

Brittany Rogers | Hope, Arkansas
brittany.rogers@artistoftomorrow.org

Annelise Hammond | Champaign, Illinois
annelise.hammond@artistoftomorrow.org




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