Michelle Sayles is a cartoonist, illustrator, researcher and organizer based in Pennsylvania, with roots across New England. Her art and collaborative projects aim to shine a light on environmental and social justice issues at a local and global scale. She has created works of graphic journalism, large-scale comic art, community murals, political cartoons, and posters to build critical awareness of the world we live in.
Want to collaborate or share your ideas?
Contact the artist at msaylesart@proton.me
EDUCATION
2018 – M.A. Globalization Studies, McMaster University Institute for Globalization & the Human Condition, Hamilton, ON. Thesis: Psychological Resilience Discourses in Puerto Rico’s Climate Recovery
2013 – B.A. Geography, Globalization Studies, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown, PA
SOCIALLY-ENGAGED ARTS
2025 – Assemblies as a Tool for Just Democracy. Report from Partners for Dignity & Rights | illustrator
2024 – Building Power in Place: A Municipalist Organizing Toolkit | artist & assistant editor
2022 – From the Ground Up: Community Centered Policies to Scale Equitable Development. Report from Partners for Dignity & Rights | illustrator
2018 – Power Means Who the Police Believe: Talking with Young Children about Race | contributing illustrator
2018 – OPEN ACCESSibility An Illustrated Story of Disability Advocacy | artist, author, researcher
Partners: McMaster University Equity & Inclusion Office, MacPherson Institute
2017 – Housing and Employment Rights for Vermont Dairy Workers handbook. Vermont Law School + Migrant Justice | illustrator
2016 – Think of Others. Collaborative art installation developed for Vermonters for Justice in Palestine | organizer & contributing artist
2016 – The Most Costly Journey Project / El Viaje Mas Caro | “School of Life” comic creator
Partners: Vermont Folklife Center, Open Door Clinic, et al.
2015 – Najawa: A Story of Palestine | lead artist, author
Collaborative project created with jen berger with Vermonters for Justice in Palestine.
2015 – Amplifying Voices mural project | co-developer
PlanBTV Community Engagement Project
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017 – Vermont Law School Solutions Conference, South Royalton, VT
2016 – Najawa: A Story of Palestine, Green Mountain College, Poultney, VT
2016 – Najawa: A Story of Palestine, Bread & Puppet Theater, Glover, VT
2016 – Think of Others Project, Art Hop, Burlington, VT
2016 – November Featured Artist, City Market Co-op, Burlington, VT
2016 – Pathways Vermont Community Center, Burlington, VT
2016 – Najawa: A Story of Palestine, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
2015 – Najawa: A Story of Palestine, Art Hop, Burlington, VT
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020 – Urban Wildlife Learning to Co+Exist ,Creature Conserve, Providence, RI
2019 – Power Means Who the Police Believe, Goddard College, Plainfield, VT
2018 – Gallery of Graduate Arts, Mulberry Café, Hamilton, ON
2017 – Gallery of Graduate Arts, Evergreen Community Storefront, Hamilton, ON
2015 – Amplifying Voices Mural Project, PlanBTV Arts Exhibition, Burlington, VT
AFFILIATIONS + PARTNERS
Municipalism Learning Series
Solidarity Research Center
Vermonters for Justice in Palestine
Partners for Dignity and Rights
Migrant Justice / Justicia Migrante
Michelle Sayles 