a photo collage showing dozens of participants holding their books

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Amherst College Bicentennial 1821 2021

The Solidarity Book Project encourages us to think deeply about what solidarity means and to make that commitment material through art. Do you believe in the transformative power of books? Are you in solidarity with Black and Indigenous communities? Do you think art can impact change?

The Solidarity Book Project was envisioned by Professor of Art and Art History Sonya Clark ‘89, as one way for Amherst College, in its Bicentennial year, to recommit to a more equitable future by pushing against legacies of settler colonialism and anti-Black racism.

The Solidarity Book Project Team is happy to announce Amherst has matched your participation with a gift of  $100,000!  

Thousands of people shared reflections, excerpts, and sculpted books in solidarity. Amherst College has matched every single one of your submissions with small gifts toward nonprofit organizations supporting the educational needs of Black and Indigenous communities. Due to the sheer number of contributions, we have met our goal and raised $100,000! 

We are distributing this funding amongst the following nine nonprofits that support Black and Indigenous communities:

American Indian College Fund, Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop, Gedakina, Indigo Arts Alliance, Literacy Lab, Ohketeau Cultural Center, Tomaquag Museum, United Negro College Fund, and the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project

To learn more about these organizations visit the official Solidarity Book Project website. 

 

 

This artwork acknowledges the power of books to shape thought and the physicality of books to shape symbols. In community, we sculpt a better future. In solidarity, we fight against Indigenous oppression, systemic racism, and anti-Blackness through art, activism, and restorative practice.”
—Sonya Clark

Sonya Clark on the Solidarity Book Project

Hear artist Sonya Clark, Amherst College Professor of Art and the History of Art, talk about the project, its meaning and how you can get involved. Read more about Professor Clark in her faculty profile.

Social Media Savvy? 

Spread the word. Share your responses using the hashtags #SolidarityReflection #SolidarityReading and #SolidarityBook. Tag friends and nominate them to participate! Tag us as well. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to watch our solidarity grow.

Questions?

Please email us at solidaritybook@gmail.com

The Art of Solidarity

Sonya Clark sits in her art studio with sculpted books next to her

News Story

Sonya Clark ’89, the renowned artist and Amherst professor, talks about the communal Solidarity Book Project for Amherst’s Bicentennial.

Read the Q&A
Four solidarity fists sculpted out of books

Solidarity for Posterity

In which we look back at the Bicentennial’s community-wide anti-racism collaboration: the Solidarity Book Project

Solidarity is power - screenshot of the project website

Interactive Website

View the Solidarity Book Project website, with a virtual monument, videos, archives, and more.