Saying farewell to my Collaboration with Mr. Jane Jacobs
Mr. Jane Jacobs and I at Urban Craft Uprising’s First Thursday in Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA. 2018. Photo Credit: Mr. Jane Jacobs
In 2018, Mr. Jane Jacobs and I embarked on a greeting card collaboration together. I shared all the details about it in a blog entry from October 2018.
In January 2020, Mr. Jane Jacobs came to my studio to film, and then he created a video on our collaboration. We each talked about the experience of working together, our favorite designs, what the future holds for our creative visions. My dog, Willy, even made a special appearance when he grew tired of being ignored during filming. :D
THE COLLAB
This collaboration has continued to be a joyful, uplifting experience. It was refreshing to respond to Mr. JJ’s energetic drawings. And fun to explore layout and color in an effort to highlight his style and hand lettering. Our collaboration was a way to use my skills from a new perspective.
What was even more exciting than creating the artwork itself? Every single sale we received when you supported the effort! The smiles and chuckles I saw from customers when they picked up one of our cards, receiving wholesale orders from retail shops requesting “Cheers Queers” and “Frickin’ Thanks” cards. Every single purchase of the “Let me share my umbrella with you” card. Not only did I get to witness and experience that joy, but it was also an honor to help Mr. Jane Jacobs bring to fruition his dream of creating greeting cards and sharing them with the world.
Mr. Jane Jacobs visiting our cards at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art in Bainbridge Island, WA. Photo Credit: Mr. Jane Jacobs
Mr. Jane Jacobs at Elliott Bay Book in Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA. Photo Credit: Mr. Jane Jacobs
CHEERS QUEERS
In the video Mr. JJ created, we took some time to focus on the impact of our Cheers Queers design… including details on why it almost didn’t happen.
The truth is, I’m the reason it almost didn’t happen. As a cishet person selling this card through my business, “I didn’t want to benefit off the backs of underrepresented and underserved people.” To put it more frankly, I was afraid of receiving criticism at the perception of benefitting.
“...we’ve been so marginalized that I was ready to just take that off the table.” - Mr. Jane Jacobs speaking on Cheers Queers nearly getting cut due to my hesitance
Looking back, I know how I failed as a supposed ally: My fear of criticism initially upheld the oppression of people and voices from the LGBTQIA+ community… I nearly censored Mr. Jane Jacobs’ voice from the world, when I thought I was amplifying it. It’s an example of how the “well-meaning” intentions of the privileged can get in the way of truly meaningful actions. And my fear of being criticized? Talk about privilege! I was afraid to use my voice when others don’t just fear, but potentially live a life of erasure, censorship, and violence for being who they are.
In this collaboration with Mr. JJ, I gained my sea legs as an ally to those in the LGBTQIA+ community. I learned that I and other people in positions of privilege and power in our society need to use our voices to share our power and privilege with others.
“...there’s such a desire for people to feel seen / and allow space and create space for others…” -Mr. Jane Jacobs and I on the impact we saw from Cheers Queers
At this point in time, there’s a COVID-19 pandemic, and protests are being held to fight back against racism, systemic oppression, and police brutality. Protests ignited by the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and so many more. It’s also Pride month- a time that history tells us was founded on demonstrations at Stonewall, not celebration. It’s a world demanding change, and it’s a call that we cannot ignore.
My collaboration with Mr. Jane Jacobs got me started on this journey of learning how to use my voice for change. I’m immensely thankful that we created this work together and honored that he continuously gave me his trust.
MOVING FORWARD
Our collaboration is still available, but Mr. Jane Jacobs is moving forward on a new endeavor- The ISamson Project. Mr. Jane Jacobs is creating a documentary to bring his grandfather's story, Samson Dixon, to light.
In 1968, Samson Dixon was falsely accused of a murder he didn't commit and was sentenced to life in prison. He served 5 years, but this remains on his record, despite attempts to appeal.
Along with the documentary, Michael is assembling an investigative team to help pursue #JusticeForSamsonDixon and started a GoFundMe page to help his efforts.
Additionally, 25% of all sales on our collaborative designs will be donated to the project’s GoFundMe page.*
*When our collab started, 10% of sales of the Cheers Queers design was donated to the Rainbow Center in Tacoma. In 2019, this amount was increased to 15%. We’ve decided together that 25% of all sales from our collaborative designs, including Cheers Queers, will be donated to The ISamson Project.