Afrocentric Vision exhibit at Wayne Center for the Arts celebrates Black culture, history

Bryce Buyakie, The Daily Record
·6 min read
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WOOSTER ― Looking at a painting of a Black woman holding back tears, Allison Allison could feel her pain. It was a familiar pain she has recognized in herself at times.

Standing in the middle of the Gault Gallery at the Wayne Center for the Arts, Allison described what she saw in artist Kara Priest's painting "What We Lose."

Organizer of the Afrocentric Vision exhibit Allison Allison observes her favorite piece of art titled "What We Lose," by Kara Priest
Organizer of the Afrocentric Vision exhibit Allison Allison observes her favorite piece of art titled "What We Lose," by Kara Priest

"Look at how she holds her head off to the side," Allison said. "She's trying to keep it together, but it's still coming through." It seemed as if the woman just experienced something that pushed her to the breaking point.

That painting is one of roughly 30 works of art on display at the Wayne Center for the Arts' Afrocentric Vision exhibit to promote African American culture, history and traditions during the month of June in honor of Juneteenth.

The exhibit includes paintings, sculptures, mixed media, textiles, jewelry and multimedia works created by local artists of all ages and some loaned from creators near and far, said Allison, the event organizer.

"I wanted to spotlight a different culture," she said. "I wanted to see brown everywhere. I've been in Wooster for 14 years and have seen little representation. It's about elevating different cultures."

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These paintings by Valentine 89 Reyes, a local artist, are among Allison Allison's proudest additions to the exhibit.
These paintings by Valentine 89 Reyes, a local artist, are among Allison Allison's proudest additions to the exhibit.

All types of art from all types of artists

The call for art was answered by many people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and locations, Allison said.

From the Wayne County area, students and local artists painted, drew, sculpted and wove their way into the exhibit.

Artworks include a ceramic bust sculpture called "Sunkissed," created by Anna Gendron of Northwestern High School.

Three works of art are displayed at the Afrocentric Vision art exhibit at the Wayne Center for the Arts.
Three works of art are displayed at the Afrocentric Vision art exhibit at the Wayne Center for the Arts.

Another called "A Few Steps Back" was made by Ki'Asia Benjamin, who wove a woman's face onto a circular canvas. Stand too close, it looks like a mass of nylon string. Stand a few steps back and the woman's face appears.

"If you step back and take it all in you'll see a hard-working Black woman that doesn't want to be looked over and lost in the tangled mess," the description of the piece reads.

Other pieces including a dress were on loan from places like Colorado and African nations, Allison said.

Two of Christopher Pickett's pieces, "Afro-Fury" and "Afro-Phoenix," are on loan. Picket created them using charcoal, gold leaf and paper on wood.

His art is part of a series that highlights figures in Black culture "whose views were seen as radical but now are understood as necessary," the description reads. "Afro-Fury" depicts Malcolm X while "Afro-Phoenix" is about Angela Davis.

Acknowledging all aspects of African American history

This painting by a young artist expresses their reality at the exhibit.
This painting by a young artist expresses their reality at the exhibit.

For Allison, the exhibit is about celebrating African American culture, history and traditions, but not all history is positive. Hardship is a theme woven throughout that history, she said.

In one corner is her creation based on the 1989 Spike Lee movie "Do The Right Thing." It is a mannequin clad in white sweatpants and a white jacket with a hoodie pulled up over its head. Covering the clothes are the names of Black women and men killed by law enforcement.

A painting at the other end of the gallery depicts an exhausted face with the words like "sold, rape and addicted" around it. Allison said it was made by a child.

"Her mother was concerned that it was too much, but clearly she has a lot to say. Who am I to say she can't express herself?" Allison said.

From slavery to Jim Crow through the Great Migration and the civil rights movement, there are still many challenges facing people of color, Allison said.

For Allison, who moved to Wooster nearly 14 years ago from Toledo, life in Wayne County has not always been pleasant. Just leaving the house can bring anxiety, not knowing what looks people might give her or what comments might be made.

The charcoal, gold leaf, paper and wood creations by Christopher Pickett are called "Afro-Fury" (left) and "Afro-Phoenix" (right). They depict Malcolm X and Angela Davis, respectively.
The charcoal, gold leaf, paper and wood creations by Christopher Pickett are called "Afro-Fury" (left) and "Afro-Phoenix" (right). They depict Malcolm X and Angela Davis, respectively.

"I have two kids, and I don't want them to feel like they're being followed at the store," she said.

Although the exhibit acknowledges this difficult past and present, Allison said the goal is to empower those traditions and cultures that have so often been ignored and oppressed in this country.

The ultimate goal, she said, is to introduce new to make it a more inviting place.

Expanding Wayne County traditions

Allison Allison looks at the work by Christopher Pickett at the Afrocentric Vision exhibit in the Wayne Center for the Arts. Allison organized the month-long event to promote Black culture, history and traditions.
Allison Allison looks at the work by Christopher Pickett at the Afrocentric Vision exhibit in the Wayne Center for the Arts. Allison organized the month-long event to promote Black culture, history and traditions.

Allison is one of many people who hope to introduce new traditions into the fabric of Wooster by those who call the city home.

Such efforts have taken the form of the Juneteenth Freedom Celebration cookout. Now in its fourth year, it is organized by Zaurice Stephens. Others include the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day events like the one at First Presbyterian Church in January, which was organized by the Wooster-Orrville NAACP.

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There is the Pride Rally cookout that took place one year ago at Christmas Run Park. Organized by Amanda Stock, the event aimed to establish a celebration and safe space for those in the LGBTQ+ community.

The Wayne County Public Library has events like Black Stories Hour, which aim to highlight authors of all backgrounds.

An artist at heart, Allison wants to bring a splash of artistic flare to downtown Wooster that echoes her time in Toledo, which has many colorful murals dotting the city.

As the founder of Art of Inclusion, she plans to create her first mural by the Wooster Community Action offices, she said.

She is also in talks with the Lyric Theater to create a mural on the side of the building. It's part of her goal to create a Wooster art district.

"It all started when I went to one of those Let's Chat Sessions with Wooster City Council a couple of years ago, and I asked if I could paint murals," she said.

Part of that effort is the Afrocentric Vision exhibit, which will return in 2024, she said.

Events celebrating the exhibit

A couple of events will be held this month to celebrate the exhibit.

From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 17, guests are invited to dine on food and talk about Juneteenth and freedom and enjoy the works of art. The event is located at the Wayne Center for the Arts.

A closing ceremony for the exhibit will be held June 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will be catered by Murphy Brown Events and feature Archbishop Everett Caldwell of the Triumphant Church of Wooster.

Caldwell will round out a month of events by reflecting on Juneteenth and Black theology in America, according to the arts center.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: June exhibit in Wooster OH celebrates Black culture through art