Ripon, WI – Wisconsin Art is excited to announce the upcoming exhibit “Pow-litical Comics: From Ripon to the RNC,” set to open on September 5th at 6:30 PM at the Caestecker Gallery, located in the Rodman building of Ripon College. This powerful and thought-provoking exhibition will run through October 4th, closing at 5:00 PM. The exhibit will delve into Wisconsin’s deep-rooted tradition of political activism, tracing the state’s pivotal role from the birth of the Republican Party in Ripon in 1854 to its contemporary status as one of the nation’s most crucial battleground states. Through the lens of political cartoons, “Pow-litical Comics” captures the essence of a divided yet dynamic political landscape. In conjunction with the main exhibition, the Little White Schoolhouse will host a Pop-Up Exhibit titled “Elephant in the Room,” which will explore the birth and evolution of the Republican Party mascot through political cartoons. This exhibit will be on display from September 6th through September 29th, open Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The opening reception and talk will take place on Tuesday, September 10th at 7:00 PM. Admission to the Pop-Up Exhibit is free. Dr. Sarah Elliot, the Program Director for the Little White Schoolhouse explained that, “As far back as the colonial era, political cartoons have served as a powerful and culturally significant form of free speech for Americans. Over time, political cartoons have united people in a common cause, illustrated deep divisions within the nation, satirized and criticized those in power, conveyed ideas of protest, and inspired larger conversations about the pressing issues of the time. They have also led to the creation of such well-known symbols in American culture as the Republican Party’s elephant and the Democratic Party’s donkey mascots. The Little White Schoolhouse is excited to share this lesser-known story in our pop-up exhibit featuring a more in-depth history of the birth of the mascots as well as items from the museum’s archive.” The Little White Schoolhouse, located at 1074 W Fond du Lac Street, is an iconic landmark in Ripon and the birthplace of the Republican Party. Visitors are encouraged to learn more about this significant historical site and its role in shaping American political history. For more information about the “Elephant in the Room” Pop-Up Exhibit, please visit www.lwsh.org or follow the Birthplace of the Republican Party Museum on Facebook.
