Last week I went to see Caravans of Gold, Fragments in Time: Art, Culture, and Exchange across Medieval Saharan Africa at the Block Museum. The Block Museum is located on the Northwestern University Campus, and its exhibits are stellar. I’ve been to a few but should be more diligent about visiting this free treasure trove of […]
It is black history month, and there are many fabulous exhibits and showcases to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the U.S. economy and cultural landscape. Thanks to the internet many black voices are amplified and more historic figures uncovered. My recent visit to Caravans of Gold had me wondering how far back colonialists […]
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” ~ attributed to Banksy and Cesar A. Cruz When I attended the unveiling of Melissa Blount’s Black Lives Matter Witness Quilt last year I knew I wanted to be part of future sewing circles. On January 31 that opportunity arose with an event at the Block Museum. […]
On a recent summery Sunday I did an art scavenger hunt in Evanston. As part of the 3rd Terrain Biennial, Evanston artists have organized eight host locations on a walkable route, along Wesley and Florence between Emerson and Dempster. Eight homes are hosting the work of nine artists on the front yard, porch, or facade. […]
“We are all connected. If we are not really invested in helping each other, there is no hope for us. It’s about how our lives are all limited without having deep conversations and interactions with one another.” ~ Melissa Blount Women starting new lives in a new home or trying to get away from abuse. […]
“I see this quilt as an opportunity to create repair. When you have empathy, it is hard to do damage. We haven’t dealt with the idea of how we have dehumanized black folk.” ~ Melissa Blount On June 25, Evanston residents gathered for the unveiling of the Black Lives Matter Witness Quilt at the Frances […]
