On Wednesday, October 17, 2018 the GLBT Center and the African American Cultural Center will host an opening reception for the exhibit “Artivism: Advocacy and Activism Through Art” from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the African American Cultural Center Gallery on the second floor of Witherspoon Student Center. The exhibit will showcase the works of artists Gemynii, 2018 artist-in-residence with the Durham Art Guild, and Jade Wilson that embody resistance, justice, activism and radical self-love.

Aligning with the 2018 theme of GLBT History Month, “Strategic Activism: Fighting on All Fronts,” the exhibit highlights the ways in which art acts as a social commentary to shed light on injustice, inequality and systemic oppression. Recognizing that social change occurs through a multi-pronged approach, this year’s theme highlights the various modes that people can utilize to embody resistance. From education to organizing to direct action, art and policy reform, the theme strives to honor the ways in which people challenge systems and fight injustice daily.

In addition to the opening reception, the featured artists will facilitate a workshop entitled “Art, Advocacy, and Resistance” on October 18, 2018 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the African American Cultural Center Gallery. During the workshop, Gemynii and Jade Wilson will discuss how they use their work to force audiences to critically think about blackness, representation and the body while navigating a racist, heteropatriachrical, capitalist society.

Visit “Artivism: Advocacy and Activism Through Art” in the African American Cultural Center Gallery from October 15, 2018 to November 4, 2018. We invite students, faculty, staff and the NC State community to the gallery.

• Learn more about the GLBT Center.
• Learn more about the African American Cultural Center.

Preston Keith is assistant director of the GLBT Center.