By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
From July 16 to August 31, the Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) will hold its annual summer art exhibition at the Helson Gallery in Halton Hills. The exhibition’s theme is emancipation, and artists are invited to submit their work for consideration for inclusion in the exhibition.
Francesca Durham, the art director for the exhibition, elaborated on how the theme is communicated to artists.
“The question we ask the artists is ‘What does freedom mean to you?’” Durham said. “We want to see that come through in the artists’ work.”
Durham said that she wants artists to think about what it means to be free, historically speaking, spiritually speaking, and imaginatively speaking.
Durham also spoke about how the exhibit relates to the Emancipation Day holiday.
“We want people to be aware of what the day represents,” Durham said. “We’re not just a date in a calendar, right? August 1st marks the formal end of the chapter in 1834, but the journey continues.”
“It’s like the resistance and the renewal of it, because I just find that we have this day that we celebrate, Emancipation Day, and I think a lot of people don’t realize what we’re celebrating,” Durham continued. “So, that’s sort of how we’re bringing Emancipation Day to the forefront to get people to remember what it’s all about, by having artists come together as a collective group.”
Durham said that, to her, the exhibition is less of a gallery and more of a “sanctuary for storytelling, healing, and for truth-telling through their [the artist’s] stories.”
“I would really hope that it’s a place where we can have open dialogue, not just about what people see, but how they feel,” Durham said.
Durham is also the curator of the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton and said that working with both organizations has allowed her to grow a network of artists and create a “shared resource” for both groups to pull from.
Durham spoke about the selection process for the event.
The selection process for the exhibition began with a call for artists on April 4, which kicked off a period where those interested can submit their work to the HBHAS. That window closes on May 30, after which a panel of judges will decide which pieces make it to the gallery.
Durham will be on the panel, along with Kara Bruce, the curator of Helson Gallery. Durham said that they may bring in an artist to sit on the panel as well.
There are approximately 40 spots to be filled, and artists may submit up to six pieces to be displayed.
Durham spoke about some of the more specific themes she has seen represented so far in the art that’s been submitted.
“A big one is identity,” Durham said. “Catalyst for social change is another one. Afrofuturism, the theme of the African diaspora, history and activism, empowerment, and cultural reclamation is another one that we’ve seen coming through. And the big one is migration. I don’t want to forget that one as well.”
The art on display ranges from traditional paintings to photography, sculpture, and mixed media.
Durham said that in recent years, she has seen more of a demand for sculpted pieces. Durham said that the three-dimensional element of sculptures can be very effective at making viewers emotionally connect with the piece.
“It’s the shapes and the forms and the actual look of the pieces that don’t give such a warm and fuzzy feeling,” Durham said. “Because now you’re struck by what was real.”
HBHAS is also hosting their annual Halton Emancipation Celebration Festival at Spencer Smith Park later this year, on Labour Day weekend.
To find out more about how to submit art to the summer exhibition, click here.
