SUMMER SHOWS

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.”