Celebrating Black artists with a digital exhibition in downtown Brampton

The City of Brampton’s Arts, Culture and Creative Industry Development Agency (ACCIDA) is honoured to present Black Artists Live Here , a PIXEL Digital Screen Exhibition in partnership with Garden Square Brampton. This digital exhibit features the work of eight interdisciplinary local artists highlighting a range of styles and mediums, on now until the end of May.

Art brings people together, tells stories and is an outlet for self expression. Through various mediums and techniques, this digital exhibit explores the intersections of Black identity, technology, and community.

For artist Abiola Idowu , the opportunity to be featured in this hometown project is special. “It is encouraging that we continue to lift each other up as artists and appreciate all the different cultures from which we originate,” said Idowu. Brampton is a Mosaic, and it is our diverse community that makes this city such a creative, unique place. “This exhibition is a great opportunity for me to extend my fellowship to the community at large and to inspire people to see and create beauty. The world is our canvas, and we can paint it with love!”

ACCIDA has been committed to working with the Brampton arts community to determine how they can support them in their journey, what resources and platforms are needed to succeed and so much more. ACCIDA is particularly passionate about providing opportunities to new and emerging artists, knowing that often taking the first step is the hardest part.

For Coleen Williams , being included in this initiative is a chance to share her artwork with the community on a larger scale and provide some validation to herself as an artist. “This has provided me with the affirmation that I need to be encouraged and to continue to do what I love. To know that art is valued and that there are avenues out there to get noticed and to progress in my artistic pursuits,” said Williams.

Chelsea Charles is an illustrator who uses both digital and traditional mediums in her work. Despite being a long-time resident, the one thing that was missing for her was representation in the arts community, “I’ve lived in Brampton for most of my life and have not met any other Black artists in the area. Being selected and having my work shared among fellow Black artists in my community is so amazing and inspiring.”

Teneshia T. Samuel , is a first-generation Caribbean Canadian multi-disciplinary artist, social activist, politician and scholar. Born with 10% vision and 50% hearing, their work discusses intersectional identities, life in diaspora and paths to liberation for self and community. Being featured in this exhibit is an opportunity to start conversations, and to inspire and empower those that are underrepresented. “While I was growing up in Peel as a Black, Queer and disabled creative, there were not many creative mentors and role models who shared my lived experience. I did not see many like me who were visible, proud and flourishing in their practice. It is my hope that having my work included in this exhibition makes it easier for emerging Black, Queer and disabled artists to envision themselves thriving in the creative practices they love.”

While ACCIDA is still in its infancy, the team is committed to advancing, connecting and advocating for Brampton’s vast arts and culture landscape. By providing opportunities like this one for artists of various technique, backgrounds and experience, they are giving space to an arts scene on the verge of greatness and prioritizing support for equity-deserving groups.

For Samuels, “It is a declaration of the Black excellence that has always been present here but has systemically gone unrecognized and un-affirmed, it’s a claim to space in the world of culture creation.”

The next time you’re in downtown Brampton’s Garden Square, don’t forget to look up to the 24’ screen to see the weeks featured artist. To learn more about the exhibit and see all of the featured artists, visit accida.ca

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