Read about Steve, Rachel, and Krystal

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Steve Lambert on stage at frank

Steve Lambert (he/him) is the Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Artistic Activism.

Steve’s father, a former Franciscan monk, and mother, an ex-Dominican nun, imbued the values of dedication, study, poverty, and service to others – qualities which prepared him for life as an artistic activist.

In the late 90’s he found himself in the San Francisco court system defending himself against illegal evictions that would have made him homeless, while at the same time trying to complete his art training. Since then he’s worked to mesh the practical, outcome-based world of activism with the aesthetics, emotion, and experimentation of the arts.

In 2008 Lambert, with the Yes Men, organized with hundreds of people on “The New York Times Special Edition,” a utopian version of the paper announcing the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other good news. In 2011 he built a 20 x 9 foot sign that reads CAPITALISM WORKS FOR ME!, that allows passers by to vote true or false, and has toured it across the United States, Europe, and Australia.

Lambert’s work has been shown both nationally and internationally, from art galleries to protest marches to Times Square, featured in four documentary films, and over two dozen books, and collected by museums and The Library of Congress. Lambert has presented at the United Nations several times. His research is included in a United Nations report on the impact of advertising on cultural rights and form the basis of a book analyzing popular understandings of capitalism. He was a Senior Fellow at New York’s Eyebeam Center for Art and Technology from 2006-2010, developed and led workshops for Creative Capital Foundation, and is currently Associate Professor of New Media at SUNY Purchase. Steve has advanced degrees from a reputable art school and respected state university. He dropped out of high school in 1993.

Steve Lambert co-founded the Center for Artistic Activism with Steve Duncombe in 2009.

Rachel Gita Karp (she/her) is the Program Director of Unstoppable Voters at the Center for Artistic Activism. Through Unstoppable Voters, Rachel supports bold, strategic, and ambitious organizations, people, and projects that protect the freedom to vote with creativity and innovation. She’s helped over 50 pro-voter groups and over 300 artists and activists via training, community-building, mentorship, and more.

This work builds off of and feeds Rachel’s decade-plus background making activist performances for voting and voters, reproductive freedom, and increased gender representation in politics. Rachel has developed and directed new performances about these topics and more across the country, through theaters and organizations including The Drama League, Clubbed Thumb, Irondale, Mabou Mines, Ars Nova, Brooklyn Arts Council, the Center for Artistic Activism, the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, Actors Theatre of Louisville, LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, The Wild Project, The Brick, The Flea, IRT, Dixon Place, Philly Fringe, PlayPenn, Incubator Arts Project, Women Center Stage, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Barn Arts, Monson Arts, Orchard Project, the Powerhouse and Samuel French Festivals, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Process Series, Chatham University, Columbia University’s graduate and undergraduate schools, and Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama. www.rachelgitakarp.com

Rachel joined the Center for Artistic Activism in September 2020.

Krystal Barrett (she/her) is the Program Assistant at the Center for Artistic Activism.

Krystal Barrett is a bi-racial artist and activist from Orlando, Florida.

With a decade-long background in higher education, Krystal began her career in social change with the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College. At the Institute, she worked directly with national and international authors, scholars, and social justice leaders to further the Institute’s programming and mission. Throughout her time with Valencia, Krystal was deeply engaged in making the College more equitable and inclusive for both students and employees of all backgrounds.

A member of the League of Women Voters of Orange County since 2013, Krystal is passionate about community engagement, mental health advocacy, and educating on the importance of voting.

Krystal launched Peace Petals, her pressed flower art and goods business in 2016. Through Peace Petals, she has organized donation-based art giveaways supporting non-profits, including The Loveland Foundation and the Mental Health Association of Central Florida.

A first generation college student, Krystal earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Central Florida. Her degree focused on Humanities, the Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Leadership Studies.

Krystal joined the Center for Artistic Activism in February 2022.