FEB 2024 / "In Living Color" Black History Month Exhibition at Suffolk County Courts

Exhibition: Feb 1-28, 2024
Reception: Feb 1 / 1-2pm
Location: Central Jury Room, Suffolk County Courts, 400 Carleton Ave, Central Islip, NY

Islip Arts Council kicked off Black History Month with an exhibition entitled “In Living Color” on the second floor mezzanine of the Cohalan Courthouse (Central Islip Courthouse), sponsored by the Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association.

IAC curated a Black History Month exhibition by the Suffolk County Courts. Works included selected pieces by local artists and prints of works by William Henry Johnson, first installed at Touro Law Center in 2018 and featured in the Smithsonian Archives.

The unveiling ceremony was held in the Central Jury Room on Thursday, February 1, where many local artists shared their insights about the pieces. To say that the unveiling of the art show was powerful is just one word to describe the event. There was a huge shift in the room when each of the artists spoke about their life, their art, and how they ended up where they are today. Words were spoken from the heart about what it means to be an artist, with each speech adding to the collective thread, weaving an unbreakable tapestry right before our eyes. It was notably crucial for artists and nonartists to get a glimpse of, relate to, and truly understand why we need art in our lives and all around us.

The display is up for the whole month of February, and is open for viewing to the public.

The Islip Arts Council, founded in 1974, is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. IAC promotes culturally responsive, high quality programs in varied artistic disciplines. “It is a great honor for us to curate an art exhibition for the Suffolk County Courts,” said Waldo Cabrera, President of Islip Arts Council’s Board of Directors. He added, “As much as we enjoy celebrating our artists, we look forward to any chance we get to educate and inspire the next generation of great artists.”

*For further information about a piece of art, contact the Islip Arts Council at (631) 888-3525.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
Pavan Carter
Maria “TooFly" Castillo
Faith Evans
Sage Gallon
Titus V. Thomas
Cydney “Artcy” Wilson