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Heidi Phelps
Stand With Ukraine illustration projected in blue and yellow onto the National Gallery of Art at night
Stand With Ukraine, 2022
Projection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Photos: Laura Beth Pelner, MVMT Catalyst

Public + participatory art

Public projection, workshops, curation and community programming: projecting Stand With Ukraine onto the National Gallery of Art, teaching screen printing with Girls Rock! DC, curating The Future Is Loud at Studio 1469, co-curating and hosting Petworth Porchfest, and partnering with Girls Rock! DC for the Wild Flowers opening.

Stand With Ukraine illustration: a woman in a floral crown raises a sunflower among tall sunflowers, beside the hand-lettered words “Stand with Ukraine”
Stand With Ukraine, 2022
Original illustration
Stand With Ukraine illustration projected in blue and yellow onto the National Gallery of Art at night, the lit U.S. Capitol at left
Projection, National Gallery of Art, with the U.S. Capitol
Photos: Laura Beth Pelner, MVMT Catalyst

Stand With Ukraine

In March 2022, I collaborated with Backbone Campaign to project my Stand With Ukraine illustration onto the National Gallery of Art and the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC, as a public art protest in solidarity with Ukrainian resistance. The projections took place the same day President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the U.S. Congress asking for support.

I originally created the illustration as a freely downloadable protest poster. I then released limited-edition, signed and numbered archival prints, with 100% of profits benefiting Sunflower of Peace and its medical and humanitarian aid work in Ukraine.

Taking the image off the page and projecting it into public space changed the scale and meaning of the work. It became less about an individual illustration and more about visibility, solidarity, and using art as a public gesture.

Programs
  • Stand With UkrainePublic projection with Backbone CampaignNational Gallery of Art and Russian Embassy, Washington, DCMarch 2022
  • Screen Printing Workshop — Girls Rock! DCTeaching artistWashington, DC2026
  • The Future Is LoudCurator & organizer, Studio 14692025
  • Petworth PorchfestCo-curator & host2025
  • Wild Flowers OpeningGirls Rock! DC partnership2025
  • For Dolly, With LoveParticipatory installation, Art All NightDupont Underground, Washington, DCSeptember 12, 2026