A new initiative is working with 26 Black artists who are giving themselves permission to create something new.
Black Artist Forward (BAF) is bringing together a dynamic collection of Black artists from across disciplines for 26:26: 26 Artists & 26 Days of Creativity, a celebration of creativity, connection and artistic expression culminating in the reopening of Concourse 107 at its new location in the heart of downtown Fayetteville.
The 26:26 Opening Reception will take place Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at 116 Hay St., the new home of Concourse 107. The exhibition marks a new chapter for the gallery, which previously operated at 107 Gillespie Street, and celebrates its return to downtown Fayetteville with a showcase centered on Black artistic talent.
Before the public opening, Concourse 107 will host a private Art Buyers Lounge on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m., offering invited collectors, art enthusiasts and prospective buyers an opportunity to experience the exhibition in an intimate setting ahead of the opening reception.
26:26 features a multidisciplinary group of artists whose practices span visual art, painting, illustration, music, film, fashion, photography and other creative disciplines.
Featured artists include:
Rather than presenting a single aesthetic or artistic point of view, 26:26 intentionally brings together artists with distinct voices, mediums, perspectives and creative practices. For 26 days prior to the opening, participating artists will challenge themselves to step outside their usual creative routines, experiment, explore new ideas and make something new. The challenge is an opportunity for artists to simply create, with the resulting work becoming part of the larger story of 26:26. The result is an exhibition that reflects the breadth of Black creativity and the range of artists contributing to Fayetteville's cultural landscape.
“26:26 is about making room for Black artists to play, experiment and make something new.” said April Mata, founder and president of Black Artist Forward in a press release. “There is so much talent rooted here, and this exhibition gives people an opportunity to experience that talent collectively while also discovering the individual voices within it.”
The exhibition also advances Black Artist Forward's broader mission of creating sustainable opportunities and resources for Black artists. Participating artists are using 26:26 as a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign to help support BAF's ongoing work to connect Black artists with funding, professional opportunities, and community resources.
At its core, 26:26 is an invitation to experience, discover and invest in Black creativity.
The exhibition will remain on view at Concourse 107, 116 Hay St., Fayetteville, North Carolina, with additional details about participating artists and programming to be announced.
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