“Manifesting Beloved Community” Exhibit Now at West Windsor Arts
“WISDOM”: This work by Pat McLean-Smith is featured in “Manifesting Beloved Community,” on view through March 1 at West Windsor Arts in West Windsor Township.
For the fourth consecutive year, West Windsor Arts, in partnership with Art Against Racism, invited artists to present their vision of an equitable and caring world, one not tainted by the misjustices of structural racism. Their artworks are now on display at the arts center in an exhibition called “Manifesting Beloved Community,” inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s global vision of a nonviolent, love-centered world without poverty, hunger and social injustice. Throughout his lifetime, King spoke of a healed planet.
“We are honoring Dr. King’s legacy with this exhibition, which will be on display through March 1,” says Aylin Green, executive director of West Windsor Arts. “Each year, we also sponsor a day of service on the MLK holiday so that volunteers are surrounded by the impactful work of this show as they package donations to be given to local service organizations.”
This year’s esteemed jurors, Isabel and Julio Nazario, share their time between New York City and the thriving artist community of Kingston, N.Y., in the Hudson River Valley. “There are a number of New York artists in this year’s show because of the jurors, but every show is different. The commonality is that there is a great diversity of thought with each show that creates a unique narrative,” said Rhinold Ponder, founder of Art Against Racism, who recommends seeing the show as a whole, in addition to viewing individual artwork online, for the full impact.
To ensure that everyone can experience the exhibition fully, West Windsor Arts added several enhancements to assist patrons with visual impairments or hearing loss, including an audio tour for a selection of the work, a description of each piece of art that can be accessed online through a QR code, and consideration of optimal viewing for those who use a wheelchair by hanging the show at a lower height. “We want to be as inclusive as possible and promote a positive experience of the show,” said Green.
“More than anything, we want to give people the opportunity to think about ways we can move forward to build a better society,” added Ponder. “At a time when so much seems negative and people feel there isn’t much they can do about it, this exhibition brings us back together through community, and into a space where we support each other.
“‘Manifesting Beloved Community’ reminds us that it takes a wide range of vision and thoughtful consideration to build a healthy society. We need to be open to one another, listen to everyone’s story and be empathetic to our different views.”
“Manifesting Beloved Community” is on view through March 1 at West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor Township. For more information, visit westwindsorarts.org/exhibitions.