Michael Dixon is an award-winning artist whose work is featured in People For’s The Art of Saving Democracy action kit. He recently shared his thoughts about his work, art activism and the future of civic engagement.
Can you share a little about yourself and what drew you into becoming an artist? Why did you choose oil painting as your medium?
I didn’t grow up in a family of artists, but I vividly remember having Disney’s Wonderful World of Knowledge encyclopedias as a kid and being completely drawn to the Renaissance period— it was my very first encounter with art. I was so captivated by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo, and the Sistine Chapel. When I eventually decided I wanted to be an artist, I knew I wanted to paint with oils, and that I wanted to create figurative work, all because of those early experiences with the Renaissance masters.
Your work centers on portraiture to explore your personal experiences and thoughts about race and identity in America. When did you decide to shift to more political commentary? Or has the personal always been political for you?
I was always drawn to political work as a young painter, admiring artists who made me uncomfortable and forced me to feel. It took time to find my own voice, and I began using personal narrative in my last undergraduate semester. Since then, I’ve continued exploring the intersections of self, race, and identity—turning personal experience into a lens for broader social commentary. In a sense, I have been making the same painting over and over again, because the personal and political are inseparable: exploring my story allows me to address systemic issues in a way that feels urgent and immediate.
In your opinion, why is art such a powerful tool in shaping the public narrative?
Art is powerful because it creates space for multiple truths to exist at once. When I make a painting, I bring my own experiences and intentions to it, but once it’s out in the world, viewers complete the work with their interpretations. I’ve always been fascinated by how someone can see something I never consciously considered, and that exchange expands my own understanding. Art evokes feeling first, and feeling can open people up in ways facts alone often cannot. In a moment when so much discourse feels rigid or polarized, that openness—the chance to reflect, question, and connect—is what gives art its real influence.
When and why did you begin working with People For?
I connected with People For the American Way through its Artists for Democracy campaign, which felt aligned with my belief that creative work can play a meaningful role in civic life. I was drawn to the idea of artists contributing not just imagery, but perspective — helping translate democratic values into something people can feel and see. The collaboration has been energizing because it brings together artists like me who care deeply about participation, representation, and community engagement. It’s rewarding to know the work can live beyond the studio and be part of broader conversations about democracy.
You selected your piece, Bring A Friend And Vote, for inclusion in The Art of Saving Democracy. Why did you choose this specific piece?
I chose Bring A Friend And Vote because it carries both visual immediacy and layered meaning. The image is borrowed from a performance called The American by Texas-born Mexican American artist David Alcantar, a friend from graduate school. I thought it was such a great image to encourage people to get out and vote. I also appreciated the irony that David is a person of color with Mexican ancestry posing as an iconic white American comic book character. The image questions who is American and what that means. At the same time, it’s an inviting, accessible image that encourages collective civic participation, which felt perfectly aligned with The Art of Saving Democracy.
What do you hope readers will take away from The Art of Saving Democracy?
I hope readers come away feeling both inspired and empowered. The Art of Saving Democracy highlights how creativity can open new pathways into civic participation, and I’d love for people to see that engagement doesn’t have to look just one way. If the project helps someone feel more connected to their community or more motivated to take part in shaping the future, then it’s done its job. Ultimately, I hope the artwork reminds readers that democracy is a living, collective process that benefits from creativity, shared responsibility, and participation.
Find Michael Dixon’s work, and art from more outstanding artists and activists, in The Art of Saving Democracy.
At a time when our freedoms and core values are under assault, The Art of Saving Democracy is a new civic renewal initiative that uses art to inspire and equip more Americans to actively participate in our democracy.
Now available for preorder, the action kit will land in bookstores on June 2, 2026.
