FALL RIVER — Bristol Black Collective has announced the installation of special Juneteenth art exhibition, featuring works by students from Matthew J. Kuss Middle School.
The exhibit is available for public viewing in the atrium at Government Center, now through July 1.
It showcases the Kuss students’ creative works, inspired by Juneteenth and celebrating themes of freedom, hope, equality, and culture.
The art was originally showcased during the Fall River Juneteenth Celebration at Kennedy Park on June 8. It was fostered by discussions Kuss students held this spring about Independence Day, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the national recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Students created a variety of artworks guided by visual arts teacher Sondra Arnold, drawing inspiration from the Freedom Flag by Marcus Garvey, the Juneteenth Flag by Ben Haith, and the symbolic colors of red, black, green, and gold.
The exhibition features drawings and posters, pinwheels, mini sculptures, and mosaic collages. Mosaic collages were inspired by African American artist and art educator Alma Thomas.
These art projects also reflect the diverse backgrounds of the sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students, including Ecuador, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cape Verde, Haiti, the Azores, and Portugal.
“Each piece offers a unique perspective on the students’ heritage and their interpretation of Juneteenth’s significance,” a press release from Bristol Black Collective about the exhibit said.
The public is welcome to come see the artwork on display.
“It is a celebration of our community’s youth, their creativity, and their engagement with important historical and cultural themes,” the press release said.
This exhibition was made possible through the support of the Bristol Black Collective and the Southeastern Juneteenth Coalition. Bristol Black Collective also extended special thanks to Sondra Arnold “for her dedication to guiding these young artists,” and to the students of Matthew J. Kuss Middle School, “for their inspiring contributions.”
For more information about the exhibit, contact info@bristolblackcollective.org.
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