Exhibition wraps up cultural center’s anniversary series

The UIC African American Cultural Center this semester presents the final installment of “In Retrospect: An Exhibition Series and Archival Project,” which commemorates the center’s 25th anniversary.

The final of three installments of “In Retrospect” features the works of six Chicago area artists who previously exhibited at the African American Cultural Center as a part of the center’s long-running Visiting Artists Series from 1991 to 2012.

The exhibition is on view through Dec. 9 at the African American Cultural Center Gallery, 207 Addams Hall. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment.

The artworks introduce the center’s 2016-2017 theme, “A Year of Remedies.” They reflect upon the state of black women’s centrality in Africa and its diaspora, convey aspects of African heritage through quilt-making, offer spiritual restoration through creative practices, promote care for one’s inner and outer beauty as well as environments, and attempt to reconcile multiple worldviews within communities of African descent.

“Together, the works in this exhibition offer a broad spectrum of healing practices that soothe the pain we absorb from our era’s repeated manifestations of violence,” said Lori Barcliff Baptista, director of the center and faculty member in museum and exhibition studies.

The opening reception features remarks by the visiting artists, who include photographer Dorothy Perry, visual artists Rhonda Gray and Henry L. Jones, and mixed media artists M. Victoria Bianco, Trish Williams and Patricia A. Stewart.

UIC’s African American Cultural Center has been celebrating its 25th anniversary all year with an exhibition series, arts workshops, poetry readings, story circles, an archival research project and other activities that highlight historical and contemporary issues and events that have furthered the center’s mission and experience.

Admission is free and open to the public. More information about the exhibition and related programs is available at (312) 996-9549.