Safety zones, in black and white

Can I just tell you how cool it is to do a collaborative piece of art... with people you haven't even met yet? I heart you, mystery chalkboard writers.

Inside the You're Not From Around Here, Are You? exhibit, you literally have permission to write on (part of) the wall. For this art installation, I'd like you to share your personal safe space... and if that doesn't exist around here, I'd like you to share a specific place you don't feel safe.

Loving the results so far... here's a few to check out.

From Patricia A.: "People say so many negative things about my hometown, White Center, but I love our diversity and being unincorporated! Being multiethnic, I feel safe in diverse cities."

Anonymous comment: "I am from Balto., MD. Have lived in Seattle for 20+ years. I do not feel safe anywhere. As a black woman "feeling" safe is a luxury I can't afford. One must always be on her guard."

Anonymous comment: "Born in Yakima moved to Seattle in 1950 in the CD moved back in 2010."

If you can join us on the weekend of December 16th and 17th, you can make your own contribution to this art installation! Please let us know you'll be attending the artist-led tour that  day; RSVP on the Facebook Event page. Hope to see your thoughts on the wall soon, in black & white.

Museum exhibit in five... four...

It's the final countdown: the last week before I present You're Not From Around Here, Are You? at the Northwest African American Museum!

I've transported the art (three trips, man!) from my studio to NAAM...

... and I'm just finishing up the last pieces.

THIS is the big deal I've been working on in semi-secret: The Great Mystery Project. You're Not From Around Here, Are You? is my exploration of African American identity in the Pacific Northwest. If you're within driving distance of Seattle, I'd be so honored if you'd join me for the opening reception on November 4th! Details:

We're also planning an artist talk and more events related to You're Not From Around Here, Are You? These will occur in the months to come, so watch this space for more news. Hope to see you at the reception!

Moving day: transporting art to NAAM

It's real and it's happening and it's really real...

The first two works for my solo show are loaded and almost ready to go to the Northwest African American Museum! Lots more to come -- twenty more, in fact. (More than that if I count the triptychs as nine separate works.)

Although the collector was happy to loan out the pieces, she says she already misses them. I can see why: they're fully part of her home now. [happy sigh]

I know that bittersweet feeling myself... but soon I'll be too busy to mope over it. I've got a show to install!