YWCA Lancaster Releases Black Artist Waystation Juneteenth Presentations
Lancaster, Pa. (June 3, 2021) – The Black Artist Waystation focuses on Black artists in visual, performance, or spoken word, highlighting the breath of creativity in our community. Twenty-eight Lancaster Artivists were nominated with four Exemplars each receiving $500 honorariums this year. The full program of display is happening this upcoming Juneteenth!
Here are the 2021 Black Artist Waystation Reveal & Juneteenth Waystation Presentations:
- Gerri McCritty – Visual Art
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Thanks to all those that nominated me for The Black Artist Way Station Project! My project is viewer interactive. I invite others to step out of their box by sitting on another color of box other than the one they identify with. Doing this will show their willingness to learn about another race. The five boxes represent the five colors of the human race. Aethiopian or Black Race, Caucasian or White Race, Mongolian or Yellow Race, Native American or Red Race, & Malayan or Brown Race. Which color box do you identify with? I invite you to step out of your box and sit on another color.
Location: Lancaster Museum of Art – Grubb Mansion, 135 N. Lime Street, Lancaster
Public Artist Talk – June 18, Noon, Bring your own lunch.
Open Exhibit – June 18 – September 1
- Shelby and Jordan Wormley – Visual Art
A walking tour of a photographic exhibit featuring images and stories from the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Lancaster during the Summer of 2020
Location: Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Lawn, 204 N. Prince Street, Lancaster
Public Artist Talk – June 17, 6pm
Open Exhibit – June 18 – 30th
- Nathan Gadsden – Film
Two film viewings taking a lens inward to capture the effect that oppressive systems have on the Black and Brown community. Claiming Juneteenth as the first step towards liberation.
Location: Pocket Park (SOWE), Fremont and Filbert Streets, Lancaster. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket.
June 18, 8pm
Juneteenth (June 19), 8pm
- Grace Berry – Performative & Visual Art
Gather at the watermelon patch for an interactive performance to embrace how watermelon is uplifting to the spirit of Black life in the Afrikan diaspora. In the patch you will find sekere’s and drummers, offering an energizing connection to our ancestors’ ingenuity and strength. See more at www.girlrillavintage.com.
Locations: Reservoir Park – N. Franklin & E. King Street, Juneteenth, Noon
Crystal Park – 1st Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 Juneteenth, (June 19) 3pm.
* All Drummers welcome! Please arrive for drummer circle 30 minutes prior to each performance!
The Black Artist Waystation’s goal is to be a catalyst for artists who create works that define the movement toward freedom and recognize the many efforts that brought us to this moment. We are exploring the link between Lancaster as a waystation on the Underground Railroad and the freedom seekers who rested here; to the struggle for freedom that continues today including the Black Lives Matter movement and the many moments in between of excellence, beauty, and joy.
Conceived by Tony Collins. Sponsored by Blake Collins Group, City of Lancaster Department of Community Planning and Economic Development and the African American Historical Society of South-Central Pennsylvania. Special thanks to Superintendents: Lenwood Sloan and Jasmyne King. Conductors: Javi Suarez, Elimu Nelson, Julia Mallory and Zetta Elliott. Agents: Barry Kornhauser, Emerson Sampaio, Randolph Harris and Denise Burkholder. Join us in the journey for equity in Lancaster arts!
About YWCA Lancaster
YWCA Lancaster is dedicated to the elimination of racism, the empowerment of women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Since 1889 we have served children and adults in the community through a variety of programs. Current offerings include the Center for
Racial and Gender Equity; Kepler Hall residence, home to fifty women, men and children; New Choices Career Development Program, a life-changing opportunity for Lancaster, York and Chester County’s individuals in transition to achieve economic self-sufficiency; YWonderful Kids providing child enrichment for ages six weeks to five years and before/after school care in a number of settings; Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center with a 24 hour hotline and no-cost professional counseling for survivors of sexual assault and their significant others and Parent Empowerment Program for families in need of positive parenting support.
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