Freedom of speech in our arts scene: Part 2
Originally published on The JOLT News on September 24th, 2025
In part one, local artists discussed whether the threats toward freedom of speech reach the Thurston County arts scene.
Here, in part two our local artists discuss why freedom of speech is important to creating art, and how we as a community can continue to support freedom of speech.
Enjoy!
The why
“Art and free expression are inseparable. Theatre, in particular, has always reflected the world around it — asking difficult questions, and sometimes sparking necessary discomfort. Our role as an established arts organization is to hold space for diverse voices and perspectives, and we are committed to ensuring our stage remains a forum for that dialogue.” — Harlequin Productions
“Freedom of Speech protects us from those who don’t agree with us. Without that simple protection, it allows anyone, including other people as well as the government to punish us because of our thoughts. Art is inherently a display of our most honest thoughts, feelings and ideas. While no one can take that from us, they can take away our ability and desire to share that with anyone else. Once that passion is gone, art becomes about pleasing someone or something, which isn’t art.” —Terry Shaw, musician, composer and educator
“The making of any play, musical, painting, sculpture, photograph, novel or poem is a reflection of an individual or group of artists’ views on the world and our human condition. Art can connect us to each other, educate us about the humanity of others who may be the same or different from us. It ‘holds a mirror up to nature,’ as Shakespeare said so perfectly in Hamlet. That is what artists do, each in their own way, in their own voice. If we lose that, we risk losing everything that comes from making and experiencing art.” — Teri Lee Thomas, actress
“The fact that we can create and express whatever it is we feel and share it to the world is the act of freedom of our speech. Speech isn’t always through our voice, but is also what we paint, what we dance, what we write, mold with our hands, our bodies, our songs. If we no longer have freedom of speech, we no longer have art.” — Alex Greene, actress and director
“The arts make us think about what's going on in our world. We see something and we interpret it into art. Art gets people talking, so we see it from different sides. If it is censored, then what we are thinking about is being manipulated to think ‘their’ way, which happens on social media every day.” — Karen Abel-Dickinson, artist
“I think freedom of speech is important, as long as it doesn't threaten someone's human rights and safety. I'm hoping our community will stay critical and sentient of those threats. Art reflects life and often it is an invitation to explore the nuances of the experiences of the person next to you. Without empathy, we are destined to feel lonely and threatened, and I'm worried that feeling threatened is being encouraged in the media from many directions. Art is a good way of dissipating that, but only if we're given the autonomy to speak to it.” — Lynette Charters, freelance artist and gallery curator
Of note: See Charters’ “Missing Tarana Burke” from “The Matilda Effect” series for another way to look at this conversation. Burke started the #MeToo Movement and stood up against the narrative that women were “making this stuff up.” In exercising her freedom of speech, Burke changed the world, and Charters’ piece contributes to the ripple effect of Burke’s impact.
How to support
“Get involved with the community. Learn about other people, especially ones that don’t agree with us. Support local artists of all kinds: music, visual art, dance, theatre, or whatever is available. Encourage your child’s violin playing in fifth grade (even when it’s painful). Go see your neighbor’s kid’s dance recital and encourage them to continue; you might be the reason they continue. Applaud the creation of new art. If we don’t have creators of new art, our freedom of speech won’t ever be tested, and the arts will slowly diminish.” — Terry Shaw, musician, composer and educator
“Volunteer, donate, buy tickets to a show, buy the pieces you love in galleries, create your own art (on or off) stage. If nothing else, spread the word and support those who aspire to spread the word (like The JOLT News).” — Rachel Benton, writer and columnist of “In the Audience"
https://thejoltnews.com/stories/freedom-of-speech-in-our-arts-scene-part-two,26523