LOCAL ARTIST AND ARTS EDUCATOR PAINTS PORTRAIT TO ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO VOTE IN UPCOMING MIDTERM ELECTION
Sarasota, FL, October 29, 2018 – Local artist Clifford A. McDonald recently painted a portrait of Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum to encourage others to exercise their civic duty to vote in the upcoming midterm election. Gillum is currently the Mayor of Tallahassee and the democratic candidate running against republican Ron DeSantis for Florida’s highly contested governor seat. He is also the first black major-party gubernatorial candidate in the state’s history. McDonald exercised his right to vote through early voting and hopes by sharing the portrait, he can inspire others to vote in the upcoming election.
“Art has always inspired me so I thought given the importance of the upcoming election, even if I could inspire a few people to get out and vote, it would be worth it,” said McDonald. “No matter where you stand on the issues, if you don’t exercise your right to vote, you forego your voice.”
McDonald, a Sarasota native, has enjoyed drawing and painting since childhood. A graduate of Booker High School’s Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) program, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and currently teaches art at Visible Men Academy (VMA), a tuition-free, public, K-5 charter school in Bradenton, Florida. Art is a passion through which McDonald has always found inspiration, and he hopes it can also be a way to inspire others and give back to the community. He has donated several pieces to local nonprofit organizations and events, including VMA and M. Chapel Project/SPAACES (Sarasota Project Aligning Art Community Exhibits Studios).
Florida’s general election is November 6, 2018. Eligible voters can vote-by-mail, vote during early voting, or vote at the polls on Election Day. To determine voter registration status and to find polling location information, visit https://dos.myflorida.com/elections. Companies such as Uber and Lyft are offering free rides to the polls on Election Day. For information on free transportation options, visit voteriders.org.
McDonald’s work is viewable at instagram.com/cliffordmcdonaldart.
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