The Mobile Gallery Arts Initiative is an educational public arts project spearheaded by ARTS Southeast in 2022 with investment by the City of Savannah, in partnership with Live Oak Public Libraries. Selections from exhibitions on display at Sulfur Studios will travel to three public library branches this year, creating opportunities for communities across Savannah to experience and learn about contemporary art. This program allows the public to see artworks in a range of media covering topics such as: Printmaking as an expression of Black identity; a commemoration of Juneteenth by artists from across the nation; multimedia artwork that educates the public about endangered native plant and animal species.
Arts Southeast is pleased to present a selection of works from the group exhibition “Past Presence, Commemorating Juneteenth.” Featuring artists from across the country, this exhibition highlights work that takes into consideration the artists’ personal experience and history – present or past – as it relates to the Black experience in the United States.
These artists explore themes of ancestry, modern media narratives, vulnerability and resilience. “Past Presence” is a declaration of PRESENCE - of artists claiming space and demanding to be heard, artists sharing profound moments and eternal truths, artists daring to be artists in the United States of America in 2022 - 157 years after the enslaved in Texas were informed of their freedom.
Featured Artists:
Victor Montague, “The Starting 5”
Jasmin Cage, “Young, Gifted and Black”
Kayla Grayson, “Every Breath in My Body”
Napoleon Wilkerson, “Freedom Fighters”
“Past Presence” was juried by several esteemed artists, educators and curators from Savannah, Georgia: Amiri Farris, artist and educator; Antonia B. Larkin, artist, curator and Visual Arts Specialist at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center; Lisa Jackson, Education and Community Outreach Liaison at The Savannah African Art Museum; Billie Stultz, Founding Director and Head Curator at The Savannah African Art Museum.
To access videos of the artists and jurors of Past Presence speaking about the work, visit: www.sulfurstudios.org/mobile-gallery
Exhibition Details
Selected works from Past Presence: Commemorating Juneteenth will be on display at the W. W. Law Community Center from August 1st - September 30th, 2022. Community Center Hours: MON - FRI: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm. SAT: 12:00 - 4:00 PM. Closed Sundays.
