Art and activism
CREATIVE COMMUNITIES IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY RESPOND WITH SUPPORT FOR BLACK LIVES MATTER
Social movements and the arts community often go hand-in-hand, as illustrated by arts institutions across the country calling for change and calling for justice over social media. In a show of support for the Black Lives Matter protests that have erupted across the country, many local arts organizations participated in the #BlackOutTuesday social media campaign. As part of the campaign, individuals and organizations posted black squares on their social media feeds in a sign of solidarity for Black Lives Matters earlier this month.
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, ACT of Connecticut, Ridgefield School of Dance, Ridgefield Theatre Barn, Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Greenwich Historical Society, Wilton Historical Society, Danbury Museum, Quick Center, Keeler Tavern Museum, Silvermine Art Center, Thrown Stone Theatre Company, the SONO Sidewalk Gallery and Western Connecticut State University’s School of
Visual and Performing Arts also posted in solidarity for #blackouttuesday.
The Pequot Library, The Bruce Museum, the Fairfield Performing Arts Studio and Long Wharf Theater have also posted statements about how they stand against racism. The New Canaan Museum and Historical Society has shared photos from a peaceful protest in New Canaan. The museum also previously posted photos and a link to a news story about the New Canaan Experiment, where a group of black student teachers from the South interned and taught at the predominately white school in New Canaan in 1968 in an effort to teach tolerance.
“The Aldrich stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and protesters across the nation,” the museum posted on social media while closing the first week in June out of protest. “We mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and countless others.”
The Westport Country Playhouse’s post offered to listen and share stories. “As a nonprofit regional theater, our mission has always been to hold a mirror up to nature and to provide opportunities for constructive dialogue around diverse stories, to be a center for people to come together in a world where divisions have primacy,” the theater stated on Instagram.
The Katonah Museum of Art (KMA) posted the black out square with a joint statement from the museum’s executive director Michael Gitlitz and the board of trustees president Debbie Mullin which called for the arts community to play a role in confronting racism.
“We stand with those who seek to undo institutionalized forms of oppression and those acting to lead our communities towards healing and unity by building more equitable institutions. We also believe that the Katonah Museum of Art, other museums, the art community, and artists play an important role in confronting and exploring these issues. We have a role in both provoking dialogue and in creating a community space in which to engage.”
The statement also reminded followers about the museum’s ongoing Bisa Butler exhibit, which “explores racism, identity and the experience of African Americans.”
The KMA also posted an image of Butler’s piece “Basquiat - Black Lives Matter,” a quilted portrait which features the names of black people who have been rallying points with the BLM. The KMA currently has a virtual exhibit of Butler’s work available on its website.
Ridgefield’s Thrown Stone Theatre Company also offered a message of grief and solidarity with Black Lives Matter and chose to postpone its “Acts of Fate” performance.
“At Thrown Stone, we are acutely aware of our privilege and the hard work we need to do to live up to our ideals. We are determined to use this moment to face our shortcomings, and recommit to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our board, staff, and offering,” Thrown Stone said in its post.
ACT of Connecticut shared an image of Compassionate Ridgefield’s memorial on Ridgefield’s Main Street and pledged to take a stand against systemic racism: “Theater has the unique power to unite us in common experience, to remind us that amidst our differences, we are all human. We are taking a stand against systemic racism and the ongoing police brutality that the Black community has endured for far too long. ACT is committed to doing the work to ensure our theater is an anti-racist space where all people feel welcomed and empowered. We will continue working as an institution to foster equality, dignity and respect for all people, and we stand in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter.”
Individual artists also showed solidarity with the movement. Norwalk artist 5iveFingaz, who recently walked in a Black Lives Matter protest in Norwalk, is also the creator of a guerilla street art movement called Love More Than Ever. His movement aims to put positivity out in the world and it also inspired a children’s book. 5iveFingaz said he created the Love More Than Ever movement after learning that white supremacy flyers had been circulated in the area around his hometown of Norwalk. This led him to take his stencil and share his Love More Than Ever message around Norwalk. “The message itself is to be uplifting, to uplift humanity, to uplift your fellow human being.”
Alicia Cobb, a Bridgeport painter, body painter and art educator, said she’s still processing how she feels about everything that has been going on in the news and said that she was angry. As the mother of two adult black children, Cobb said she worries about her 19-year-old son who lives in northern Stratford.
“I’m afraid if he walks down the street at the wrong hour in that neighborhood, somebody is going to mistake him for something he is not all because of the color of his skin, all because of the way he looks.”
Cobb pointed out how she feels the world has become desensitized to systemic racism and observed, “COVID-19 comes and it stops everything, but it doesn’t stop racism.”
Bridgeport poet, painter and educator Shanna Melton said artists of color have a hard time finding space in traditional art institutions because she feels there is a stigma against art connected to a black, Asian and Latino culture.
“Artists of color create our own events and find spaces in storefronts, galleries, old warehouses and restaurants, anywhere we can find it,” she said. “We create our own spaces and we don’t wait for people to include us because it doesn’t happen.”
Eliza Kingsbury, a Ridgefield native and New York City-based comedian, chose to delay the release of her upcoming projects indefinitely as she feels humor is not what the world needs at this time. “A lot of white artists and comedians, such as myself, have recognized that there are voices in the black community that really need to be heard right now,” she said. “I now realize this is an important time to take action, reflect and unlearn. Someday there will be a moment to laugh, but now is a time for activism.”
“ARTISTS OF COLOR CREATE OUR OWN EVENTS AND FIND SPACES IN STOREFRONTS, GALLERIES, OLD WAREHOUSES AND RESTAURANTS, ANYWHERE WE CAN FIND IT. WE CREATE OUR OWN SPACES AND WE DON’T WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO INCLUDE US BECAUSE IT DOESN’T HAPPEN.”