Featuring 15 different artists of color, “The Color Black” celebrates the diversity and unity within the Black community. The show aims to foster conversations about Black narratives and encourages viewers to see from different perspectives.
In honor of Black History Month, Orr Street Studios opened “The Color Black,” a new gallery show, on Feb. 3. The latest Orr Street exhibit featured a selection of works created entirely by Black artists, including resident artists of the Orr Street Studios, specially invited guest artists and MU students. The 15 featured artists explored a variety of mediums like digital photography, traditional painting and even multi-media works such as collages and textile pieces.
Though the artists vary in medium, age and expertise, every piece is connected through its unique representations of the different perspectives that make up the Black experience. “The Color Black” is named after and inspired by Alice Walker’s epistolary novel The Color Purple, which weaves together the stories of several Black men and women in early 20th century America, combining themes of hardship and hope. Both the book and gallery show highlight the diversity and unity that exist in the Black community.
The show also aims to further the conversation surrounding Black narratives, presenting an opportunity to look through the lens of artists of color. The open layout and quiet ambiance of the gallery encourage viewers to take their time in experiencing the pieces on display serving as just one part of a larger celebration of community and connection at Orr Street Studios.
The gallery space hosted several other events to honor Black History Month.Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the gallery hosted Black Voices — a spoken word open mic. The event, emceed by hip hop artist Sergio Slayer, is part of Orr Street’s monthly program, Hearing Voices Seeing Visions.
Saturday, Feb. 25, Soul Sessions COMO, a soul music collective performed in the gallery from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. alongside local vendors.
Orr Street’s “Resource Connection Expo” took place the following day. From 11-3:00 p.m., this is a free networking event designed to forge connections in the community, featuring local Black creatives and over 25 local Black businesses. At 1 p.m., a fashion show presented the clothing and accessories of local fashion businesses in the gallery.
Edited by Scout Hudson | shudson@themaneater.comCopy edited by Lauren Courtney and Matt Guzman