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artist talk, community arts socials, exhibition, workshop

Reflections of WEUSI: 1965 to Present – April-May 2025

Weusi CollectiveReflections of WEUSI: 1965 to Present

Exhibition Dates: April 18 – June 1, 2025

The griots of the WEUSI Artist Collective have captured history using their unique creative styles, adding a benchmark to the culture of Harlem and the world. This group of men and women was fearless, bold, and unapologetic about their mission at a time of civil unrest in America. They made a statement, “Black images by Black people”.

The members of WEUSI continue to produce positive “Black” images using every medium, media, and method known to the art world. They are modern masters of artmaking who weave their stories using paint, paper, metal, stone, photography, glass, wood, textiles, and cloth to deliver powerful messages of hope and pride. The diversity of art makers in this collective continues to push the visual boundaries of storytelling with a commitment to uplift the global community of the African diaspora and serve as a building block for the future of Black art makers.

This exhibition is a tribute to these trailblazers, who had an undeniable and lasting impact on the culture and our lives here in Harlem. The exhibition is a collaboration between the WEUSI Artist Collective, Hamilton Landmark Galleries, and the Children’s Art Carnival.

Participating artist list:

Abdullah Aziz Jesse Anthony Henry Ademola Olugebefola
Kay Brown Jennifer Ivey Okoe Pyatt
Perry Cannon MLJ Johnson Ed Sherman
Robert Daniels Dindga McCannon Deborah Singletary
Jimmy James Greene Karl A. McIntosh Ken Wright
Gaylord Hassan Otto Neals

 

Opening reception on April 18, 2025. Speaker, Voza Rivers, Chairman of Harlem Art Alliance and New Heritage Theatre Group, President / Executive Producer
WEUSI Artists Otto Neals and Karl A. McIntosh.
Michael Unthank, the CAC Board, WEUSI Artists Jimmy James Green and Dindga McCannon and CAC Artist Tomo Mori.
Left: Artist Anubis delivered a powerful spoken word performance at the opening reception. Right: WEUSI artist Ademola Olugebefola.
WEUSI Art-making Workshop 1: The Word Wand by Deborah Singletary and Jennifer Ivey In this workshop, participants created a word wand to inspire them to develop practices that transform negative thinking and construct healthy, supportive thoughts. This symbolic art tool has precedence in Native American and African spiritual practices. The workshop closed with a ritual and blessing incorporating the participants’ newly created word wand. May 8, 2025.
WEUSI Artists Jennifer Ivey and Deborah Singletary are in the middle with all participants. May 8, 2025.
Jennifer Ivey and Deborah Singletary’s Mask-Making workshop. Left: WEUSI Artist Jennifer Ivey, Right: CAC Artist Wilhemina Grant-Cooper.
This hands-on workshop guided participants through the process of creating their own unique mask. Whether for theater, cultural celebrations, or personal expression, attendees will explore different styles, materials, and artistic techniques to bring their vision to life.

Film Screening: “WEUSI!” A film created by David Lackey/ Whirlwind Creative in partnership with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group. Independently produced documentary film tracing the roots and capturing the creative spark of the WEUSI Artist Collective, including interviews with noted WEUSI Collective members. Artist talk with members Ademola Olugebefola & Dindga McCannon, with Voza Rivers, Producer. Friday, May 16, 2025.

Stop-Action Animation Workshop by Harmarkhis McCannon and Dindga MacCannon. The Brotherhood Sister Sol teens and instructor also joined this workshop. Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Panel Discussion: “WEUSI: Sustaining the legacy of Black Arts Movements, Instruments of Cultural Preservation.” About the Discussion: This discussion focused on the importance of diversifying our financial portfolios by investing in our fine art marketplace.These uncertain times require us to solidify and protect our cultural assets using strategies to uncover the personal assets in our private collections. Chris Boswell, Moderator (Gallerist, Collector, Auctioneer, Appraiser) Shelley Innis (Contributor, WEUSI Collective Archive @ David Driskell Foundation) Dindga McCannon WEUSI Collective Member (Brooklyn Museum Permanent Collection) Ademola Olugebefola WEUSI Collective Member (Founder, Dwyer Cultural Center) Diedra Harris-Kelley Director, Romare Bearden Foundation Marjorie Clarke Librarian, Langston Hughes Library. Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Hamilton Landmark Galleries hosted by Kim Hamilton.
WEUSI Artists Deborah Songletary, Abdullah Aziz and Ademola Olugebefola.
“Reflections of WEUSI 1965 – Present” 46-page exhibition catalogue designed by WEUSI Artist Robert Daniels and CAC Artist Tomo Mori.

Press Coverage on this exhibition:

Credits:

Co-curators: Dindga McCannon and MLJ Johnson
Exhibition Design: Dindga McCannon and Ken Wright
Project Directors: Michael Unthank and Kim Hamilton

Catalogue Design: Robert Daniels and Tomo Mori
Graphic/Promotional Design/Photo Documentation: Tomo Mori
Communication: Jose Ortiz
Public Relations/Press: Karen Taylor-Bass
Installation/Art Handling: Dionis Ortiz, Lydia Clark and Early Rudolph
Reception/Catalogue Sale: Early Rudolph
Video: A Delight Production

Special Thanks

Reflections of WEUSI 1965 to Present Is made possible in part through the generous support of the following agencies:

New York State Council on the Arts
West Harlem Development Corporation
Harlem Community Development Corp
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

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