Multiple local venues will host Princeton’s inaugural “Art Against Racism” group exhibition and related events from September 20-30. “Art Against Racism” is a platform to promote social justice, inclusion, equity and anti-racist community-building through the visual arts.
The juried exhibition will feature work to be exhibited at participating organizations and businesses. Exhibition sites include The Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, the Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton United Methodist Church and Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.
Several events have been planned to support the exhibition including but not limited to interdenominational breakfasts between members of black, Latino and predominantly white churches, a poetry slam, a talk on reparations, and an anti-racism drag show.
The exhibition is organized by Rhinold Ponder, a local artist, Robt Seda-Schreiber, Chief Activist of the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice (BRCSJ) and art curator and activist Ruthann Traylor of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. Collectively, they see this event as an essential response to the current divisive and racially polarized environment.
“Our Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice is all at once honored and inspired to organize this event with Rhinold. Racism is so engrained in our collective consciousness, meaningful connections like this allow us to see how all our communities can come together in a creative and meaningful way to recognize and break down the institutional and foundational nature of it. The intersectional aspect of this work is the very essence of our mission and of our being of service to the people.” shared Seda-Schreiber.
“Unfortunately, due to the current environment of hatred “Art Against Racism” is very timely. It is about bringing people together to encourage others to understand how racism hurts us all both systemically and in our personal lives, It is call designed encourage anti-racist action on every level and to help worthy causes and artists in the process.” added Ponder.
“Art Against Racism” is one of several events participating in the Create Core Courage Annual Social Justice Art Events focused on bringing attention to the continuing need for social and institutional change through the arts.
Artists interested in exhibiting work in “Art Against Racism” may submit up to four images to artagainstracism@gmail.com
or find more details at https://www.createcorecourage.art/artagainstracism.html
To date the following events have been scheduled:
On September 20, 2019, the Unitarian Universalist Church will host the Art Against Racism Opening Reception and Artists Talk.
On Sunday, September 22, several churches, including the Princeton United Methodist Church, the First Baptist Church of Princeton and the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of Princeton, will participate in interdenominational breakfasts bringing together congregants from multi-cultural churches with members of predominantly white churches.
Local literary artists, including Ghandi GPS, will perform at a poetry event at the Arts Council of Princeton on September 27, 2019.
The Bayard Rustin Center will present “Racism Is A Drag” a performance of drag queens donating their time and talent for the cause on September 28th.
This year the funds raised by “Art Against Racism” will be donated to the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice.The BRCSJ is a community activist center, educational enclave and safe-space for LGBTQIA kids, intersectional families and our diverse community members. The BRCSJ HQ is located physically on 21 Wiggins St. in Princeton and virtually at www.rustincenter.org.