Artists For Truth Benefit Exhibition (photo credit: Artists For Truth)

On Friday, June 2, Artists for Truth launches its first project, titled “Benefit Exhibition,” at SpaceCamp Gallery on North Avenue. The show will feature over 250 artworks by more than 150 artists hailing from Baltimore and across the United States.

Artists for Truth is a newly formed fundraising and educational platform created to support information literacy and truth in media. Formed by a small collective of Baltimore artists shortly after the 2016 presidential election, the group’s focus is to support organizations that promote equal access to information for everyone.

Its creators started the group to explore the artist’s specific role in amplifying, reflecting and addressing societal concerns regarding news and media.

The exhibition kicks off with a one-night silent auction to raise funds for organizations that combat the spread of misinformation, teach news literacy, ensure the right to share and access factual information and protect the rights of “truth ­tellers” in our democracy.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Action Legal Team. the News Literacy Project, of Bethesda, and the Center for Media Justice, of Oakland, California. Buyers can also choose to forgo the auction stress and purchase works outright on the night of the auction, at a “buy it now” price. Unsold works will be available for purchase in the gallery and online starting June 3.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Artists for Truth and its partners will offer panel discussions, workshops and training sessions throughout June that address information literacy, digital security, the rise of “fake news” and more. All events and programming are free and open to the public, and supported in part by both individual donations and sponsorship from Strong City Baltimore.

The Artists For Truth “Benefit Exhibition” opens Friday, June 2, with a reception running from 6 to 10 p.m. at SpaceCamp Gallery, located 16 W. North Avenue. For more information about the event and the organization, visit them online

Rachel Bone is a regular contributor to the Baltimore Fishbowl.