It’s almost time for this year’s Black History Month gallery DEFY! Join us on Thursday, February 8th from 5:30 to 8:00 pm for the opening.
Featuring art from Kaylyn Webster, Anthony Lorenzo, Gabrielle Brooks, Chloe Owens and more! We’ll have live poetry from Keeping it P, live painting with a silent auction by Andrew Travis, music, bites, a photo booth, and will be opening the event with a dance from Queen Keskessa of The Nubian Sirens!
This year’s theme is about how defiance is often associated with violence, but to resist in the form of expressing joy is an underrated and extremely powerful display of subversion. Being Black and alive despite systemic oppression in all its forms is joyous, and existing as you are is an intrinsic act of resistance in and of itself.
Memphis has such a deep and rich artistic history, and there’s no better way to celebrate and uplift that than by featuring art of many different mediums, and leaning into the positivity and strengths of the unique community that we call home.
Make sure you show up as early as you can, we have some surprises in store like exclusive merch made in collaboration with No Basis!
I hope you’re ready, because this is going to be a party, y’all!
-Joi Purvy, Arrow Creative Program Coordinator