NORTH AUGUSTA — Pictures of Rihanna, Samuel L. Jackson with Kendrick Lamar and a picture of a young Black boy holding the book Black Boy Joy in his hand was just some of the work that is part of an exhibit created by Black artists.
An opening reception was held Jan. 15 for the annual Artists of Color exhibit at the Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta to celebrate artwork from the Black community.
Oil and acrylic painting, woodworking, abstract art, crochet, 3-D arts, mixed media and fashion were several of the mediums showcased throughout the exhibit.
The exhibit was curated by Adeana Berry, who said this year’s exhibit was the largest with 30 artists participating.
“Having this growth and representation in artistry has been really, really exciting,” she said.
Berry said the exhibit will be up for six weeks and it gives diverse artists a platform to represent their work.
“Especially given the conditions in how there is some sense of erasure when it comes to culture and art,” she said. “I am really proud that this is supported and embraced.”
Berry, who lived in Atlanta for a decade, experienced the art culture there before returning to her hometown of North Augusta.
DuketheArtiist Cole has only been doing art for a short time after spending most his free time playing baseball in high school. He said after the passing of his father during his senior year in high school, he decided to give art a try and hasn’t looked back.
“I had to find something else that I was passionate about that would keep me going,” he said. “I just applied the same discipline through sports into art.”
He said one of his latest ventures is making copper jewelry and other accessories like eyeglasses. He also is a painter and a photographer.
The Artists of Color exhibit is his first show.
“Art is my life, it’s how I emotionally regulate and I could not live without art,” he said. “It’s not a goal, it’s not a subject, it’s not destination, it’s how I express myself daily.”
Another artist, Destinee Love, has been a painter for 16 years and art gives her freedom. Love’s main art medium is oil painting, but she also does paper collages too.
Love said it’s amazing to see all the different styles and techniques each artist used in the exhibit. She said the work is beautiful and it inspires her to keep going in her craft.
“I love that how we are able to express ourselves, our freedom in any way we want and there are no rules,” she said.
Berry said art brings joy and hopes that when people see the exhibit they can experience that.
“It can grow bigger and bigger, but for me right now is the joy and emotion it brings from everybody,” Berry said.
The exhibit will be on display until Feb. 27. There will be an awards reception Feb. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a closing reception Feb. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both receptions will be held at the Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta.
