The Abridged version:
- The Art, Culture & Lifestyle Exhibition at Arden Fair Mall showcases the work of Black artists and celebrates Black History Month.
- You’ll find the work of 11 local artists on the first floor of the mall, near the new RH Outlet.
- The exhibition is free to enter and will run through the end of the month.
In celebration of Black History Month, Arden Fair is showcasing the work of 11 local artists with an exhibition that “highlights the power of representation.”
The Art, Culture & Lifestyle Exhibition, on the first floor of the mall near the new RH Outlet, highlights the work of Black artists in a variety of different mediums.
Berry Accius, founder of Voice of the Youth and Black BluePrintz, which is presenting the exhibition, said this show is about visibility.
“I just kind of looked at it as a great place to create a great space for Black local artists,” he said. “To highlight what I don’t see highlighted often enough: local Black artists here in Sacramento.”
Accius curated the exhibition with his daughter Adejah Accius, who also has work included in the showcase. Other artists with work on display include Anissa Walker, Katherine Dukes, Betty Davis, Shawntay Gorman, Lyric Worthen, Aliyah Sidge, Art By Brey, Jamillah Williams, Kareem Daniels and SCO Go Crazy.
“You don’t see a lot of art that looks like yourself,” said Anissa Walker, one of the artists. “Coming here, seeing the beauty of it, you know, all the different styles, people just leave here in a positive, good vibe.”
The exhibition is free to enter and will run through the end of the month.
Accius highlighted why he saw the partnership with Arden Fair as important, “I feel like with this partnership outside of just being a Black History Month event … Folks will recognize that there needs to be something done in Sacramento to support Black artists, local Black artists.”
Accius said the importance of Black History Month also lies in elevating the present.
“During Black History Month, we often focus on going back in that. We often focus on historical figures, which is important… But Black culture isn’t only something from the past, you know, it’s what’s happening right now.”
There are a variety of other Black History Month art events happening around the Sacramento region in February. They include:
- The Sacramento Black Expo Committee and Crest Theatre are hosting an event showcasing the history of Gospel Music on Feb. 21.
- B Street Theatre is showing the play “Harriet Tubman & the Underground Railroad” through Mar. 8.
- Gallery 1075 in West Sacramento is hosting a Black History Month Art Show on Feb. 12.
Jordan Mata is a digital audience producer for Abridged, covering arts and culture.