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“Stronger together.” This quote, among many others, was hand-written on a strip of fabric in the community tapestry at the Caroline County Council of Arts’ Black Pasts, Black Futures event on Saturday, Feb. 8. The fabric was woven into the tapestry quite similarly to how history, culture, diversity, and expression come together to create the beautiful piece of art we call Caroline County; a visual reminder that it takes all of us to create something so unique and enduring.
This thread of community was tangible through every part of the afternoon. CCCA’s Executive Director George Karos pointed out that hosting an event like this “really takes a village.” Entities such as Downtown Denton Main Street, Pizza Empire, 4Shore Tent and Party Rentals, Rosendale Realty, and Choptank Supply lent their support to Saturday’s festivities. According to Karos, “they made it possible.”
While some aspects of the event like Chesapeake Heartland’s mobile museum had to be omitted due to the undesirable weather, Karos was undeterred, “in terms of celebrating African American heritage and celebrating Black History Month, it’s on par, and the intent is there.”
While attendance was down from previous years, spirits ran high, and The Foundry’s side room was overflowing with attendees listening intently to poets Sista Big and Rhonda Bolden during their passionate spoken-word sets. Sista Big, who was recruited to perform after meeting Black Pasts, Black Futures’ organizer and featured artist Yolanda Acree at another engagement, shared that the networking and circle-building that occurs during these types of events is a highlight for her: “Connecting with people… talking with people you normally wouldn’t talk to… that always prompts me, the interaction and the collaboration.”
Art was the focal point of the celebration. Paintings, drawings, collages, fiber arts, photography, writing, and even upcycled pieces were in the portfolio of Black Pasts, Black Futures’ featured artists Yolanda Acree, Brian Tyler, Niambi Davis, and Charlese Phillips. Attendees were invited to get in on the art by adding to the community tapestry, participating in the community/student open-mic hour, and painting Sankofa symbols – the inspiration for Black Pasts, Black Futures’ logo. The event program gave insight into the choice of this symbol, which represents the belief that “the past serves as a guide for planning the future.” The word Sanfoka translated means “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” Sanfoka symbols could be seen outside and throughout The Foundry, the Fiber Arts Center (FACES), and Pizza Empire.
Thanks to funds generously donated by the event’s sponsors, free lunch was provided on a first come, first serve basis. Though The Foundry was packed with participants escaping the wintery precipitation, it made for an all around more intimate and interactive gathering. Laughter and conversation echoed throughout the historic-home-turned-art-gallery as artists, attendees, and event organizers enjoyed each others’ company. “The way that things have been going, people are more recluse,” said CCCA’s Gallery Attendant Kyleen Asche, “the goal for every activity, every show, and everything that we do is really just community driven and art driven.”
To Karos, the importance of hosting a celebration of Black history and arts in Caroline County is to reflect on “a component of our county that often, historically had been overlooked, and now it’s getting the attention it deserves.”
For more information on Black Pasts, Black Futures’ featured artists or to see future CCCA events, please go to https://carolinearts.org/. Visit FACES gallery or The Foundry in downtown Denton to view all the diverse artwork that comes together to create gorgeous tapestry of Caroline County.
