It’s been a decade now. Ten long years of being blacklisted by two figures who once held the key to my artistic future: Michael Magoski and Stephen "Bax" Baxter. Two names that, in Fullerton’s art scene, carried weight and influence, but for me, they’ve been a roadblock I can’t seem to shake.
Let me take you back to the beginning.
Ten years ago, I was an active participant in the Fullerton Art Colony. I was part of the vibrant community, exhibiting my work, engaging in discussions, and contributing to the cultural pulse of the area. Then, out of nowhere, Michael Magoski and Baxter labeled me with a reputation that changed everything. They spread a statement that essentially shut every gallery door in my face. I was blacklisted. Not just from one or two galleries, but from nearly every artistic establishment in Fullerton, and eventually in Santa Ana as well.
The reason? It wasn't because of my work—it was because of me, or rather, their perception of me. The core issue: mental health stigma. I’ve been open about my struggles with schizophrenia, and that openness became a target. Magoski and Baxter labeled me unfit, dangerous, or simply unwelcome because of my diagnosis. Despite never causing harm or giving reason for such drastic measures, I was treated as an outsider, not worthy of space in the very community I helped foster.
For 10 years, I’ve tried to reconcile. I’ve tried to reach out, bridge gaps, even offer peace. But they refuse to retract their statements. Their silence, or rather, their continued blacklisting, speaks volumes. Not only does it say that they stand by their original decision, but it also sends a message to other artists and community members about how easily a person can be erased simply for existing in a way that doesn’t fit someone else’s mold.
This is the deeper issue—how quickly communities will turn their backs on individuals with mental health challenges, regardless of the work, talent, or contribution those individuals offer. Magoski and Baxter had the power to uplift or destroy, and they chose the latter based on a biased, unfounded fear of my mental health diagnosis.
Over the years, I’ve continued to create. My art hasn’t stopped, even though the doors of Fullerton and Santa Ana’s art scene remain shut to me. I've moved forward with my work, my voice, and my message. I’m not asking for an apology or for them to embrace me—I'm asking for the opportunity to participate on equal terms. I’m asking for a retraction of the harmful statements made about me, statements that perpetuate stigma and push talented, capable artists like myself to the margins.
It’s not just about me anymore. It’s about the broader message this kind of treatment sends. Mental health stigma is a huge issue in all creative fields, and the way Baxter and Magoski have handled my situation is a clear example of how not to lead a community. They hold the power to foster an inclusive, supportive environment, but instead, they choose to build walls.
Ten years is a long time to hold onto a grudge, and I wonder—how much longer will they continue to blacklist me? How much longer will they refuse to retract their statement?
I’m still here, creating, speaking, and advocating. They may have shut their doors, but the world is bigger than any blacklist. My art, my story, and my voice will continue, with or without them.
by Dan and Bonkers
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