WHEN THE EXHIBIT To Alter or Abolish concluded its run at the Yavapai College Art Gallery at the end of February, it was clear that the conversation it sparked in Prescott’s arts community was far from over. In a remarkable show of collaboration and determination, 5enses and Hot Dog Moon Productions have partnered to extend the life of the exhibition at NoCo Gallery on North Cortez Street, ensuring that the powerful voices behind the show continue to be heard.
This extension would not have been possible without the generous support and collaboration of Yavapai College and its Art Gallery staff. Their willingness to work with community partners helped make it possible for the exhibition to continue beyond its original run, allowing the work and ideas presented in the show to remain accessible to the public. The partnership reflects the vital role educational institutions and community organizations play in supporting artists and protecting the spaces where creative expression can flourish.
With extensive coordination by Cara Bella-Foster and John Duncan, nearly 95% of the original works from the Yavapai College exhibition were carefully transported and reinstalled in the new downtown gallery space. What would normally require weeks of preparation came together in an extraordinary effort that unfolded over the course of just one intense week. The artwork was moved and installed in three days, and the exhibition opened for viewing at its new home on February 28.
Originally organized in connection with programming leading toward the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, To Alter or Abolish takes its title from the historic phrase asserting the right of the people to challenge governments that become destructive to their rights. At its core the exhibit explores the enduring relationship between art, civic dialogue and freedom of speech.
Throughout history artists have served as observers, critics, and participants in democratic society. The works featured in To Alter or Abolish continue that tradition, examining how images, symbols, and visual storytelling shape public debate and influence how communities nderstand power, justice and identity. The show underscores a fundamental democratic principle: that freedom of expression, including artistic expression, is essential to a healthy and open society.
The exhibit includes works across a wide range of media, including painting, photography, sculpture, textiles, ceramics and mixed media, each offering its own perspective on the visual language of protest, persuasion, propaganda and public discourse.
Together the collection invites viewers to reflect on how art can challenge assumptions, inspire conversation, and defend the right to speak freely through creative expression. By relocating the exhibit to the NoCo district the organizers hope to continue the dialogue that began at Yavapai College while making the show accessible to an even wider audience within Prescott’s vibrant arts community.
To celebrate the extended exhibition, two public events will be held at the gallery. March 14 will bring a gallery reception 6-9pm, and a closing celebration will cap off the run on March 28, 6-8pm.
The gallery will also offer private showings and scheduled open gallery hours.
What began as a one-shot exhibit has grown into something larger, a reminder of how art can bring communities together and protect the essential freedoms that allow creative voices to be heard. Through continuing collaboration among 5enses, Hot Dog Moon Productions, Yavapai College and the participating artists, To Alter or Abolish stands as a powerful affirmation of the importance of art, dialogue and freedom of speech in our shared public life.
The NoCo Gallery is at 214 N. Cortez in Prescott. Gallery Hours: Saturdays and Sundays noon-6 pm, Monday through Friday by appointment (email info@hotdogmoon.com).
“As a production company, Hot Dog Moon is interested in creating spaces where the community can gather around art, music, and conversation. Hosting To Alter or Abolish at 214 North Cortez allows the work to live outside the campus environment and invites the broader Prescott community into the conversation. William Dugan’s Last Stuper is one of the pieces that really lingers with me. It evokes a raw representation of contradiction, the kind that sits at the heart of political and cultural reflection.” - Cara Bella-Foster
