Since Louis DeJoy — friend and ally of Trump — took over the U.S. Postal Service as Postmaster General in June, a number of worrying changes have been made to the service. With millions intending on mailing in their votes in November as a result of the pandemic and social distancing measures, funding cuts, sorting offices closures and mailbox removals all spell bad news for a fair and democratic election.
The USPS MAIL ART RAFFLE is a fundraiser aimed at trying to combat this by encouraging more money to be spent on the service. Running until 8 September, a raffle that includes original artworks by over 60 US-based artists — an illustrious list that includes both up-and-coming artists and those you’d find hanging on the walls of the world’s biggest contemporary art galleries — will run.
A rare chance to get your hands on unique artwork for the price of a pack of stamps, to enter, simply purchase an $11 book of stamps from the USPS and then email their receipt to this address: info@thislongcentury.com. On 8 September all winners will be drawn and their artwork posted.
Organised by Jason Evans — the founder of online arts archive This Long Century — its one of many fundraisers this year that’s seen artists mobilise and offer up their work as a way of providing financial support to causes in need. “During the worldwide health crisis and racial justice uprising in the U.S. we’ve continued to see the power artists have as a collective force,” he says. “I was inspired by other examples of artists donating works to raise funds and help aid relief efforts, I wanted to do something similar for the U.S. Postal Service, which is at the centre of a political battle right now and in dire need of support. The U.S. Postal Service is not only vital for mail-in voting, but remains essential for many elderly and disabled people, indigenous and rural communities, and incarcerated peoples. The response from the art community has been overwhelming; at a time when many artists have had their own support systems put in danger it’s incredible to see how people are still willing to give back to those in need.”
See the list of contributing artists and full details here.
– Buy an $11 book of stamps from the USPS
– Receipt should be dated btwn Aug 25 – Sept 08
– E-mail the receipt to info@thislongcentury.com
– Include your FULL NAME + MAILING ADDRESS
– One entry per person
– One artwork per winner
– You must currently reside in the U.S.
– Winners drawn on 09/08/20 using random.org
Credits
All images courtesy USPS MAIL ART RAFFLE