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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
GILROY CENTER FOR THE ARTS
6th ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBIT
The Black History Month celebrated its 6th year by honoring Black
female artists history has overlooked and undervalued. Despite experi-
encing racism, discrimination, poverty, these women went on to achieve
great success and made signifi cant contributions to the art world. One
example, Edmonia Lewis (1844-1907) was the fi rst sculptor of African
American and Native American descent to achieve international recogni-
tion during the time of slavery.
The Exhibit was on display at the Gilroy Center for the Arts from
February 3 to March 1, 2020. The exhibit also included work from local
Artist and Exhibit Producer Louise Shields, as well as guest artists
Ernest Kirk and Katie Johnson. On the closing day there was a Native
American closing blessing followed by a drumming circle led by Mike
Fair and The Dancer of Peace by Khalilah Ramirez.
“My vision for this year’s Exhibit focused solely on providing the
viewers the opportunity to look inside these amazing women’s lives;
highlighting their beauty, strength and positive impact that they made
within our history. We read their stories, we learned their history, we
viewed their work and celebrated their achievements in 2020. Black
History Month allows me the opportunity to bring the community
together through the eyes and heart of art.” (Louise Shields)
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
SPRING 2020
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