SUMMER SHOWS
July 18 – August 24, 2024
Artists Reception: Saturday, July 20, 12 – 4pm
Tickets: free for members; $5 for non-members
Opening Reception: Thursday, July 18, 5:30-7:30pm
Black History 2024 is the year of the African Americans and the Arts. This exhibition, Black Artists of Northern California at the Petaluma Arts Center, is a celebration of 28 artists from the South Bay, East Bay, North Bay and Sacramento. Moving this exhibition away from Black History Month celebrates black life in America as an inclusive and everyday experience.
While American Black artists are producing more art than ever, their work accounts for only 2.2% of U.S. Museum acquisitions. For Black women artists, the numbers are even lower — 0.5% of all museum acquisitions. This motivated Petaluma artist Denise Ward, the exhibition’s curator, to create an exhibition giving voice and vision to Black American artists. Related exhibition events include local area writers and musicians. Say’s Denise, “In 2015, the Petaluma Arts Center presented Black Artists on Art. It was a revelation to me and has inspired this exhibition which represents a curated collection of Black Artists living in Northern California today. As gallerists, muralists and educators, these individuals influence our collective Bay Area art scene.”
Participating Artists: Dr. Orin Carpenter, Michael Granville, Unity Lewis, TheArthur Wright, Patricia Montgomery, Karen Seneferu, Malik Seneferu, Rose Hill, Orlonda Uffre, Shonna McDaniels, Keviette Minor, Jimi Evins, Damon Powell, Donna Gatson, Marlon Beaver, Rena Charles, Netsanet Tesfay, Kim Champion, Jamil Nasim, Ora Clay, Raymond L. Haywood, Hasani Tyus, Mark Heringer, Charles Blackwell, Denise Ward