Southern University, local artists showcase Black culture through ‘Culturally Appropriate’ exhibit

Ana Conejo
·2 min read

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Black History Month celebration is in full effect in the Bluff, bringing in a new exhibit that’s exciting students on campus.

“Anytime that I see something with a positive impact that brings information towards Black culture, I’m an advocate for it. And when they told me it was up here, I had to come see it,” said student at Southern University Verbon Muhammad.

During the month of February, people can walk into ‘Culturally Appropriate’ an immersive exhibition inside the John B. Cade Library showcasing the Black culture aspects in music, fashion and hair.

The exhibit consists of areas showcasing the impact of Black artists in the music world, an old school hair salon with hair products representing different hair types and more. The exhibit even has a fashion site representing church attire, 90’s fashion and culture clothing made by Southern University students.

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Local artist and curator of exhibit, Ashli Ognelodh, said the exhibit came to life with the help of Southern University library and a fashion organization on campus that donated items.

Ognelodh said as people explore the exhibit she wants people to observe and think about certain aspects.

“I want them to pay attention to how they feel as they walk through this space. A lot of times our blackness is often traumatized and is often us expanding on that trauma. But I wanted to create a space where we talked about how just great, we are and have things that affirm blackness. So, even on our walls we have different affirmations and things that you can just say that celebrate Black culture,” she said.

As attendees walk around the exhibition, Tariah Dearbone, student at Southern University, hopes people acknowledge the impact and importance of Black culture.

“Some people don’t think that our history is important for us to learn. They don’t think our history is necessary for everybody to learn. But it is because Black history is everyone’s history,” said Dearbone.

Ognelodh is an artist who is the founder of a nonprofit called Presence Fest that brings in experiences to the capital city, she hopes this exhibit not only educates, but affirms.

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“Just the amazing things that we’ve accomplished throughout the years and just the beauty of us. I hope they see the beauty of themselves, and I hope it affirms them in their blackness,” Ognelodh said.

The exhibit is free and located on the third floor of the John B. Cade Library, its open for students and community members during the library’s business hours.

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