A multi-venue art exhibition to bask in the joy of original art made by local Black creatives that promotes, explores, and celebrates the beauty of pan-Africanism through art with the intention to unite and uplift the Black community. Focusing geographically on Columbus artists, the intention is to bring Black artists from the community and Ohio State into one space.
Accompanied by a panel, exhibition reception, and other interactive opportunities, Black Joy: Expansive, Unfiltered, Unapologetic will engage the students, faculty, and Columbus locals in strong discussions of upliftment. It is a way to network, promote being open-minded, and showcase pan-Africanism that has not been promoted until recently in the mainstream.
Black Joy: Expansive, Unfiltered, Unapologetic exhibition came as a response to the Art Unites Columbus at Ohio State exhibit. A display of art throughout the Ohio State campus highlighting the peaks of the Black Lives Matter protest in central Ohio through the protective plywood seen throughout Columbus's downtown. While informational and beautiful, the event focused solely on the pain which drained Black students because there is such joy in Blackness.
The Undergraduate Student Government Black Caucus - Community Relations Committee has partnered with Thompson Library, the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, other OSU departments, and local artist organizations to create an exhibition space for artists to display Black joy.
Be sure to stop over at the Frank W. Hale Jr, Black Cultural Center located on the South Oval to see more artwork from the exhibition on display. Hale Hall is located at 154 W 12th Ave and is open Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm.
Participating Artists: (Location of Artwork)
- Bethani Blake (Hale Hall)
- Afua Boakye-Dankwah (Thompson Library and Hale Hall)
- Malachi Brooks (Hale Hall)
- Annie Chrissy Burley (Thompson Library)
- Hakim Callwood (Hale Hall)
- Terreece M. Clarke (Thompson Library)
- Cenceir Crews (Hale Hall)
- Derrick Callender (Hale Hall)
- Nzuri McCree (Hale Hall)
- Chika Nkwocha (Hale Hall)
- Steven Thomas II (Hale Hall)
- Tyani Willis (Thompson Library)
Upcoming Programing
Thursday, November 10:
- Please join us on Thursday, November 10 from 5:30pm-7:00pm at the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center for an Artist Panel discussion. You can find more details about the event here.
