My Withdrawal from the Wayzgoose conference: A Call for Accountability

Published August 28, 2025

With deep disappointment, I’m withdrawing my participation from Wayzgoose 2025 at Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum, which was scheduled for this November. I’d so looked forward to attending, to be in community, excited to be part of this year’s programming. How can I, & other BIPOC people and those with marginalized identities, now feel good or welcomed at Hamilton, knowing how Black artists & others are treated behind the scenes?

The Board’s mission declares that Hamilton “preserves history for creative use today.” Their vision imagines a future that is inclusive, welcoming, community-minded, & transparent. Yet their actions tell a different story: the cancellation of residencies & exhibitions by Black artists, & an ongoing pattern of unwelcoming & opaque decision-making, stand in stark contrast to the values the Board claims to uphold.

-> Having a diverse program for Wayzgoose does not absolve the Board of how these other artists were treated.

A museum that says it is welcoming should not disinvite Black artists. An institution that calls itself community-minded should not act with overt neglect for transparency or accountability. A board that claims to be inclusive would not so egregiously disrespect and disregard the dignity & creative contributions of artists of color.

MY WORDS ARE DIRECTED AT THE BOARD LEADERSHIP— *not* at staff, who deserve support & appreciation for their dedication to their work in running the museum & its programs.

I’ve written to the Board calling for them to:
- Commit to leadership change & appointment of new board members by the end of the year, including term limits & a transparent, community-accountable process
- Provide clarity & transparency about how new board members will be selected, ensuring the process reflects the diversity & values of the community.
- Issue a public apology to the artists (plural!) whose residencies and exhibitions were canceled, & to the wider community, acknowledging harm & naming how it will be repaired.
- Share a plan for how changes will be enacted in alignment with Hamilton’s stated values

I hope the Board engages in the process of growth Hamilton & its community want and deserve.

With sadness & hope for better,
Desiree

P.S. If you would like to support the efforts in calling for change at Hamilton, you sign our petition, and learn more about the situation at wearehamfam.info.

#wearehamfam