In celebration of Black History Month, Vashon Center for the Arts (VCA) will present art exhibitions showcasing the creativity, resilience and brilliance of Black artists, with an opening reception set for 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7.

One group exhibition, titled “years that answer,” co-curated by Kamari Bright and Lydia Boss, features works by contemporary Black artists from Washington State including berette s macaulay, C. Davida Ingram, Elisheba Johnson, Kristina Batiste, and Moses Sun.

“The Women, The Paper, and The Light,” a portrait collection by George Jennings, offers the artist’s deeply personal tribute to Black women and his family’s history.

Throughout February, VCA will also exhibit hand-crafted silver jewelry by Kathy Raines in its gift shop.

years that answer

At a time of uncertainty and pressing concerns about freedoms and futures, this exhibit stands as a powerful celebration of the Black community’s enduring spirit.

The exhibition weaves a narrative of resilience, joy, and unity, illuminating how Black individuals and communities triumph over adversity through creativity, cultural heritage, and collective strength — providing a testament to the vibrancy of Black life and its ability to inspire hope and transformation.

Co-curators Kamari Bright and Lydia Boss share a vision of art as both a mirror and a compass — reflecting lived experiences and guiding viewers toward what is possible.

They state: “For generations, the Black community has endured the fires of adversity, emerging as phoenixes from the ashes of history. Yet, many spaces, movements, crafts, and histories remain incomplete without Black acknowledgment. This exhibition is an invitation to listen, to see and to feel the power of Black voices in shaping the world we inhabit and the futures ahead. The question of whether our humanity will survive through adversity is being asked of us all. These are the years that will answer.”

Bright is a St. Louis-born video poet and multimedia artist whose work has been featured at the Seattle Art Museum, the International Poetry Film Festival of Thuringia, and the Academy Award-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival. As the 2023 Bainbridge Island Museum of Art BRAVA Emerging Artist, she is currently exploring the influence of Christian folklore on present-day misogyny, as well as the impact of the environment on collective well-being.

Boss is a Seattle-based artist working in glass, photography, collage and new media. She has been a resident artist at The Museum of Glass and Pilchuck Glass School and is the recipient of the John and Mary Shirley Award from Pratt Fine Arts Center. Currently serving as Program Director at Artist Trust, her work has been exhibited internationally.

The Women, The Paper, and The Light

This exhibit by Seattle artist George Jennings celebrates Black women and girls through large-scale portraits. In his signature blend of traditional and contemporary styles, Jennings uses his work to push back on damaging historical narratives of who belongs in fine art, intentionally centering, honoring and celebrating Black women as the focal point of his work.

This exhibition also serves as a continuation of his family’s artistic legacy, featuring collages that honor the work of his grandfather and first art teacher, the late John N. Robinson. Visitors will experience the rich history of Black representation in fine art across generations, as Jennings intertwines past and present through his evolving artistic practice.

Having expanded his work to incorporate modern digital tools, Jennings now uses the screen as his canvas and a digital pencil as his brush. This exhibition takes viewers on a journey where dignity, beauty, and grace serve not only as a powerful counter-narrative but as a vital part of Black history, presence and future.

Vashon Center for the Arts regular gallery hours are 12-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. The gallery is also open during evening events at the arts center. For more information, visit gallery.vashoncenterforthearts.org.

This portrait, “Keyyana B.” is included in “The Women, The Paper and The Light,” an exhibition of portraits by George C. Jennings, Jr. (Courtesy photo)