Changing the world through art: New Voices exhibit highlights systemic racism
BVM Sisters will welcome Connecticut-based artist Steven Parlato on Friday, Aug. 1, for an in-person presentation about his exhibit, “They Are Not Disposable,” depicting 16 Black Americans whose lives were cut short by racial violence.
An opening reception, featuring a talk by Steven about the exhibit, will be held at 7 p.m. this evening (Aug. 1) at Voices Studio in Dubuque. All are invited to attend. The exhibit will run through Sept. 20.
Sisters of Charity, Sisters of the Presentation and Dubuque Franciscan sisters, all of whom have a strong commitment to racial justice, were instrumental in bringing Steven and his work to Dubuque.
Local Black artists Will Pearsall, Marley Washington, Rhonda Bees, and Madison Rhymes will have their work featured alongside Steven’s exhibit.
A series of events will be held throughout August and September in conjunction with “They Are Not Disposable” highlighting talented Black artists in several mediums. Other events include a Nathan Morgan Memorial, remembering the man who was lynched by a mob in 1840 when he was falsely accused of theft, and a panel discussing Black art and enterprise.
7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 — “They Are Not Disposable” opening reception with artist Steven Parlato
7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 — Film: “The Negro Artist,” Nik Heftman and Spoken Word, Caleb Rainey
8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 — Hip Hop, Matt Gregory
6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 — Nathaniel Morgan Memorial Event
6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 — “We Create Anyway: Black Art and Enterprise in an Age of Opposition”: Panel moderated by Alanda Gregory and Ernest Jackson
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 — African Vibes, Sarah Ndagire
6: 30 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 17 — “Black Life on the Upper Mississippi River,” Dale Campbell
5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 — Music, William Wilkerson
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 — “History and Culture of Black Fashion,” Peggy Jackson and Spoken Word, Christina Baker
For more details on all of these events, visit voicesstudios.org.