Exhibit Spans Black History Month, Women’s History Month and National Poetry Month
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., January 24, 2017 – Jacksonville Public Library is proud to present the one-of-a-kind exhibit Kesha – A Black Female Experience of Identity and Race at the Jax Makerspace Gallery in the Main Library. Through photography, videography, sculpture, textile art, 2D art and more, 14 black female artists will depict their interpretation of black femininity, ethnicity, identity, and stereotypes.
Curated by Jax Makerspace Arts and Culture Developer, Shawana Brooks and former Ritz Theatre and Museum Administrator, Lydia P. Stewart, Kesha lays the foundation for a conversation that will look deeper into the role of black women in our society.
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 5 – 8 p.m. (Opens during Downtown Art Walk)
Schedule of Activities in the Jax Makerspace
5 – 8 p.m. – Meet and greet the artists
5:30 p.m. – Opening remarks, including sociologist JeffriAnne Wilder, Ph.D.
6 p.m. – Nan Nkama Pan-African Drum and Dance Ensemble
6:30 p.m. – Poetry performance by Ebony Payne-English
6:45 p.m. – Poetry performance by Tonya Smart
Additional performances and activities will be held in the Laura St. entrance lobby and in The Lounge at 303 North.
WHERE: Main Library, Jax Makerspace Gallery
303 Laura St. N., 32202
Featured artists: Rhonda Bristol, Glendia Cooper, Dania W. Frink, Jovita Harper, Marsha Hatcher, MK Hollowell, Carla Jones, Erin Kendrick, Traci Mims, Princess Simpson Rashid, Crystal Rodriguez, Tiffany Rodriguez, Richlin Ryan, and Sosha Thumper.
The exhibit runs through April 23 and will be complemented with library programming and activities that will highlight Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March and Poetry Month in April. All Kesha exhibit information and programming can be found at bit.ly/keshajaxThe Jacksonville Public Library is committed to making its programs accessible to all persons. If you need special accommodations, please call 630-2665 (TTY 630-1999) at least 72 hours prior to the event.
About Jax Makerspace
The Jax Makerspace, located on the first floor of the Main Library, is a place for making things, from movies to music, art to apps, robots to radios, novels to needlepoint. Whether you are a novice or an expert, a student, hobbyist, inventor, entrepreneur or artists, it’s a place for anyone interested in hands-on opportunities to explore collaborate and create. For more information about the Jax Makerspace visit jaxpubliclibrary.org/jax-makerspace.
About the Jacksonville Public Library
The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than 3.4 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 5.7 million times, and over 13,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.