Smiles, laughter and joy were the central themes for an art exhibit celebrating Black History Month. The showcase took place Saturday, Feb.15 at Studio 11 in Union City, a space operated by the city’s Community and Recreation Services Department. The event was called “Bridges of Hope: Building Community Through Black History and Art.”
Paintings and other works of art decorated the walls of the studio. Bordering the studio, vendors sold their original art, a children’s book and plants. Students from Guy Emanuele Elementary helped color the background of a banner with historical Black leaders.
Community members chatted and laughed inside the spacious venue with the afternoon sun shining through tall glass windows. Several artists showed up in-person to talk about their art.
Local contemporary visual artist Will Francis of Union City shared two pieces at the event, both created using mixed media. Francis said mixed media is a collage that can be made out of paper, spray paint, inks, chalks, acrylic paint or oil paint.
According to Francis, the first piece, “Mosaic of Us” showed “fragmented pieces of our lives and the things we take for granted.” He used bold colors to express his Caribbean identity. The exhibit featured text and a view of a city with tall buildings. Some phrases included “Condition can be change” and “don’t be condition,” representing rules put upon society and rules that people put upon themselves.
The second piece was titled “Layers of Belonging.” The description read, “The composition explores identity, memory, and the tension between urban and natural environments.” The piece included a statue, city apartments and a woman looking out at the ocean.
Another local artist worked on a piece during the event. LC Howard was commissioned by Studio 11 to create a painting for Black History Month.
The art Howard created during the event is a painting of a woman smiling. She said,“I wanted to do something that incorporated the colors of Black History, so we see the colors incorporated with her hair, and I wanted to do something that was like a celebration piece, so this is a woman who is just joyful celebrating Black History Month.”
“I wanted to do something different than like a typical Black History Month painting, and I wanted people to look at it and just be happy when they look at it,” Howard said. “I just wanted to create something that inspired me and also inspires other people when they look at it.”
She has a brand called “Melanin Art Collective,” where she sells items that have her canvas paintings on them. Some things she sold at the event include candles, plant pots, coasters, stickers and bookmarks.
A group called the House of Daniel Royal performed a traditional Nigerian dance during the event. One of the dancers, Esther Arobuyi, teaches at Fremont’s Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth. The center provides classes and activities for adults 55 and up.
Local caterer Tatiana Thomas of Josephine Southern Cuisine offered free samples of her delicious peach cobbler and sweet tea at the event. Thomas said she expects to have her own brick-and-mortar restaurant this year.
The E14th Eatery Instagram account says Thomas is currently serving her food at the Ashland pop-up shop every Sunday from 11am to 4pm. One of her items include the Classic plate with mac and cheese, fried chicken, cornbread and collard greens.
Community members who missed the art exhibit can still check out the gallery and paintings in the coming weeks. The art showcase will be open on Thursdays, Feb. 20 to Mar. 27, from 4pm to 7pm. The last day to see the gallery is on Saturday, Mar. 29, from 12pm to 4pm.
