graphite, ink, and alcohol marker; 20×16″ 
“For the last 40 years, only about half of the population voted in the U.S. presidential elections, with only around 54-64% of the eligible voter population going out to vote. This piece is to capture the dullness and disillusion that many Americans go through every election. 3 people are illustrated towards the front of the piece representing the average person, voting to hopefully make a positive change in our world. Behind them are partisan voters. I illustrate the partisan voters with a blue or red swipe over their undetailed bodies to show that they are nothing but a vote in one or another way to the powers that be. In this piece I also draw attention to the limitations that have been placed on who can vote. I symbolized this with things like the barbed wire, gold star of the law, and blatant text. Voting history is a long fought over privilege that many Americans are not capable of exercising. I encourage you to learn about voting laws and to put yourself in the shoes of other people. I also encourage you to learn about corruption within the system and how you can personally help change it for the better.”
ARTIST BIO: Beatrix HAGGARD is a grade 12 student at Butler Tech School of Art studying art under art teacher Mary Catherine Ruby.