Arts & Theater

Placerville art show takes stand against racism amid conflict over Hangtown nickname, noose

By Alie Skowronski

Racist flyers were posted in Placerville’s downtown earlier this month, its controversial “Old Hangtown” nickname is the subject of dueling petitions, and its City Council put off considering removing the noose from its municipal logo.

Amid that tension, El Dorado County artists joined to create an exhibit called “Standing Against Racism with Art,” which was displayed in the city’s Town Hall on Friday and Saturday.

“I had a feeling that to do art is a way to approach this all from a different kind of place, a spiritual place where people may not see signage and slogans,” said Melinda Velasco, a member of the group Civil Rights Now that helped organize the event.

The show was originally set up outside for better social distancing, but moved indoors after it was vandalized.

Outside and further down Main Street, an anti-racism demonstration in front of the county courthouse Friday became confrontational, as counter protesters shouted racial epithets and threatened demonstrators while police tried to separate the groups, according to video posted from the event by independent media group Black Zebra. Placerville police did not return messages about the incident.

El Dorado County resident Elizabeth DuBose, left, speaks about her art with Melinda Velasco, co-chair of Civil Rights Now, right, and Maureen Dio-Perry, co-chair of El Dorado Progressives, back, at the “Standing Against Racism with Art” show at the Placerville town hall on Friday. The show was initially held in the lot next to the police station last month, but after vandalism and destruction of the original artwork, the group worked with the police and the city to move the art show indoors.
El Dorado County resident Elizabeth DuBose, left, speaks about her art with Melinda Velasco, co-chair of Civil Rights Now, right, and Maureen Dio-Perry, co-chair of El Dorado Progressives, back, at the “Standing Against Racism with Art” show at the Placerville town hall on Friday. The show was initially held in the lot next to the police station last month, but after vandalism and destruction of the original artwork, the group worked with the police and the city to move the art show indoors. Alie Skowronski askowronski@sacbee.com
Maureen Dion-Perry, left, helps artist Sara J Morgan set up her painting at the “Standing Against Racism with Art” show held by the Civil Rights Now group in Placerville, on Friday. “This is the first time ever showing my artwork in public, and I felt inspired and unified by all the art here at a show in our town,” said Morgan, who brought her piece at the last minute after seeing the other work.
Maureen Dion-Perry, left, helps artist Sara J Morgan set up her painting at the “Standing Against Racism with Art” show held by the Civil Rights Now group in Placerville, on Friday. “This is the first time ever showing my artwork in public, and I felt inspired and unified by all the art here at a show in our town,” said Morgan, who brought her piece at the last minute after seeing the other work. Alie Skowronski askowronski@sacbee.com
Co-founder of El Dorado Progressives Sean Frame, left, speaks with an attendee of “Standing Against Racism with Art” show held by the Civil Rights Now in Placerville, on Friday.
Co-founder of El Dorado Progressives Sean Frame, left, speaks with an attendee of “Standing Against Racism with Art” show held by the Civil Rights Now in Placerville, on Friday. Alie Skowronski askowronski@sacbee.com

This story was originally published July 18, 2020 at 4:00 AM.

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