Opening Reception for “Speaking to Our Ancestors”
An Opening Reception was held for “Speaking to Our Ancestors” – featuring artists of African descent — at the NRCA Rotunda Gallery on Tuesday, May 21st. Curators Lynn Honeysett and Valen Daughtrey welcomed a group that included the artists, their family and friends as well as NRCA Board members and some New Rochelle officials including Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert, City Council members Sara Kaye and Matt Stern, and Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development Jorge Ventura Ovalles.
The show features works by artists including Val Daughtrey, Barry Mason, Even Bishop, CJ Priester, Alvin Clayton, MarkAnthony Love, Traci Johnson and Shanequa Benitez . Val Daughtrey welcomed the guests and asked for a moment of silence to honor the memory of the ancestors who inform the works on exhibit. He then introduced the artists present, each of whom spoke briefly about their work and their influences.
Val Daughtry’s “A Walk Through History” series features portraits of African American icons rendered in ink and gesso on craft paper and include augmented reality : By downloading a free app, viewers can access video and sound that expand their understanding of each historic figure.
The NRCA Rotunda Gallery is located in New Rochelle’s City Hall at 515 North Avenue, and open to the public during regular business hours. “Speaking to Our Ancestors” will be on exhibit until June 26th. For more information about NRCA visit www.newrochellearts.org.
About New Rochelle Council on the Arts
The New Rochelle Council on the Arts mission is to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and the public\’s interest and participation therein. It has been exemplified by our sponsorship of a vast number of exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series. To create opportunities for the public to encounter and explore art and increase access to the arts in New Rochelle.
NRCA has been in existence for nearly 40 years — it was created by a resolution adopted by the New Rochelle City Council on April 8, 1975. Our mission is to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and the public’s interest and participation therein. This is exemplified by our sponsorship of a vast number of exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series.