Long Island Celebrates Black Artists Year-Round
The artistic landscape of Long Island is showcasing the extraordinary creativity and diversity of Black artists beyond the traditional time frame of Black History Month. The network of local galleries and museums have designed exhibitions with the aim of reflecting and amplifying the multitude of experiences and global issues captured by these creative maestros throughout the year. This initiative, according to our sources, is being warmly received by art enthusiasts.
Exhibition: A Mosaic of Modern African Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art Long Island is hosting an exhibition termed “A Mosaic of Modern African Art”. The exhibition is a collaborative project headed by co-curators John Cino and Laura Day Webb, presenting the creative products of a dozen artists from diverse African nations.
Fine arts from various mediums – paintings, sculptures, photographs, and multimedia installations, exhibit the artists’ perspectives on mundane experiences, global challenges and intricate aspects of life. A piece worth mentioning in this collection is “A-Fil-Iation 3,” a photograph by Angèle Etoundi Essamba, symbolizing shared human experiences and interconnectedness.
Commemorating 55 Years of Black Artistry
Another worthwhile mention is the display titled “55 years of Black Creativity”, presented by Westbury Arts in conjunction with the Long Island Black Artist Association (LIBAA) and the New York State Council on the Arts. This exhibit displays the crafted works of local Long Island artists such as Mary Rano, Olita Wingate, and Maxine Townsend-Broderick.
Maxine Townsend-Broderick, one of the notable artists featured, uses her artwork to underline the significant input of Black artists in shaping our country. Her message to the audience is to appreciate the talent and vision of Black artists beyond the dimensionality of race.
Afrofuturism Explored by Local Artists
Long Island’s Bay Street Theater brings into the limelight the cultural aesthetic blend of the African heritage and innovation through an exclusive exhibition named ‘Local Artists Delve into Afrofuturism’. Afrofuturism, combining elements of African cultures and advanced technologies, extends the comprehension of Black intellectual history.
Finalizing this artistic journey is the Ma’s House BIPOC Art Studio Inc, led by Indigenous artist Jeremy Dennis. This art space is a haven for BIPOC artists, facilitating community enrichment through a residency program, a shared studio, a communal library, and art and tribally-orientated programs.
