Face the State

While the 16th Street Mall and the Pepsi Center are the hub of activity during the Democratic National Convention, hipsters and indie youth have gathered north of downtown at 2990 Larimer Street, home to the Manifest Hope Gallery, where they are showing their support for the Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama through creative expression.

Quasi-religious art features Obama's face as the sun with a half naked woman absorbing his warm rays. Other portraits liken Obama to former President Abraham Lincoln. Only a handful of people were present in the gallery at noon Tuesday, but organizers say Wednesday is going to be their big day.

Obama supporter and gallery spokesman Yosi Sergant describes the Manifest Hope Gallery as the “indie cultural experience alternative to the big machine that’s happening a few blocks away.”

If Obama loses in November, Sergent says these artists will likely turn to protest art, adding that “health care will suffer and there will continue to be war across the world.”

Sheppard Fairey’s blue and red portrait of Obama is the inspiration for the exhibit and money generated by the sale of t-shirts sporting Obama's iconic image is funding the project. All staff is there voluntarily. Sergant, formerly a publicist from Los Angeles, says he’s given up the last year of his life to spread Obama’s message.