What is Gesso?
Gesso is a philosophy practiced by artists who find building resiliency and a close-knit community as essential to anti-fascist and anti-hostile capitalist work.
Dance. Be Social. Education before all activities, Act, Support.
Through education, conversation, and dancing we will build more connected communities. When better connected, we are more likely to support each other and have more confidence to act.
Gesso brings people together to learn from one another, work collaboratively, and create support systems. Artists are special and should pursue social, environmental, economic, and technological leadership. Artists actively critique and engage with society. Artists are the ones who get shit done for non-financial incentive.
If artists move, society will follow.
How Gesso came to be:
In April of 2025, Wick Monet introduced the America, here is your receipt exhibition. This show offered outstanding art, four purposeful workshops and four distinct social salons. This month-long exhibition addressed the uncertainty and fear of our current political climate, and how through community support, we can move forward.
Through the process, Gesso formed.
Art
Regularly create art that shows past wrongs and points to brighter paths for all people.
At least 20 % of our work should address fascism or hostile capitalism.
Look back at harm and point ahead with hope, in any style.
Intentionally collaborate with other creatives, leaders, translators, and groups to reach more people.
Each piece should teach a child and remind an adult why their engagement matters.
Hosting
Make space for consistent connection: Small, intentional meet‑ups build trust and make apparent the opportunities for assistance.
Meet twice a month in evolving groups of two to ten or more. Always consider inviting someone who is rarely engaged in community work.
Discuss neighbors doing good work and what support they need.
Before leaving, give clear offers of or requests for time, skills, or resources that may further resilience capacity.
Sometimes ask a local leader to join for Q & A.
Parties, adventures, art making, workshops all count!
Discuss, Then Dance
Connection through conversation, closeness and movement is the fastest way to building community.
Open each social session with 10-30 minutes for fears, wins, and requests for help.
Assign one or two participants to bring a news story or quick history note to add insight.
Write down and distribute any offers of or requests for help.
Dance in living rooms, in public, in parks. Dance often.
America, here is your receipt salon findings
Gesso was created from the exhibition AMERICA, here is your receipt. This month-long exhibition addressed the uncertainty and fear of our current political climate, and how through community support, we can move forward. During the exhibition, we hosted a salon series. These salons, ranging from various topics, invited people to share experiences, learn from one another, and feel empowered in their actions. Here are our takeaways:
The Irony of Reflection: Fascism and our fears This initial salon gave space to disclosing our fears and the ways fascism is affecting our lives. When we spend too much time consuming and reacting to media/news, we can become isolated and detached from our local community. We realized that social gathering is essential during this time. It is intimate, in-person discussions that allows us to learn from one another.
Ellis Island Exceptionalism: International, Immigrant, Refugee Perspectives: We addressed what ownership of an issue looks like—how can each of us feel responsible for the safety and support of immigrants and refugees in our community? Taking action is not perfect. Ownership means accepting inevitable failure, and continuing to learn and act despite it. It is important to listen to subject matter experts and find ways to get involved in their work. Getting involved shouldn’t feel daunting. Even the smallest actions are better than nothing.
Half-moon: LGBTQ+ Focus – Building the strongest community: We discussed the importance of mutual aid and close-knit networks within Pittsburgh in supporting the queer community. If we don’t feel safe by our government, we must ensure safety ourselves. When we gather in-person, we form deeper connections, and feel a part of a larger whole. Building relationships with those not within the LGBTQ+ community is essential. We must form institutions and education mechanisms within the queer community to ensure that the community isn’t lost.
The Greatest Residency: Artists – Who do we need to be?: This salon was the start of Gesso. People were interested in contributing to a larger cause. As artists, we discussed effective ways to convey and communicate anti-fascist messages. We discussed the importance of artist collaboration, and being part of a community with aligned values and goals.