Waterloo Region – The Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum is proud to announce the return of Black And Free, an art exhibition curated by Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae. The exhibition features a mix of emerging and established Black artists from Ontario, each commissioned to create pieces that explore powerful themes of blackness and freedom.

Started in 2017, Black And Free is a multi-year artistic and academic experience that deepens, enlivens and expresses themes of blackness and freedom using visual art, performance, sound and poetry. This initiative seeks to deepen public understanding of and engagement with Black experiences, while celebrating the resilience and creativity of Black communities.

Art has always been a powerful tool for expressing the struggles and triumphs of Black communities. Throughout history, visual art, music, literature, and performance have been vital in imagining and advocating for freedom. Black And Free celebrates this rich tradition, showcasing how creativity and expression can shape our understanding of identity and liberation.

"Exhibits like Black and Free offer our community a powerful opportunity to celebrate and deepen our understanding of the diverse experiences within Black life," said Regional Councillor Colleen James. "By partnering with our community and providing a space for sharing stories, we encourage learning, connection, and meaningful progress."

Curator, Dr. Keleta-Mae is a Dorothy Killam Fellow, the Canada Research Chair in Race, Gender and Performance, an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo and a multi-disciplinary artist. Through research, partnerships and art, Black And Free examines what Black expressive culture teaches us about blackness and freedom

“I believe in art and artists’ ability to connect, to articulate, to express, and to inspire,” said Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae, Creator and Curator of Black And Free. “And I believe that if artists, academics, and audiences are thinking about blackness and freedom, good will come of it for all of our society. The artists featured in this exhibition have created a range of works in video, painting, sound, multimedia, and digital art that invite audiences to reflect on a range of themes. That is what makes art powerful, it can inspire us to think, dream, and act in new ways.”

Each artist offers a unique perspective, weaving together historic and contemporary narratives that share the multifaceted experiences of Black individuals. Through visual art and video, Black And Free invites visitors to engage with these powerful themes and to reflect on the ongoing quest for freedom and self-determination.

 Black And Free featured artists include:

Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae’s Black And Free project draws on research supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Ontario Ministry of Universities and Colleges.

Join us at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum as we celebrate the transformative power of art and engage in meaningful conversations about identity, freedom, and shared human experiences.

Black And Free opens Saturday, November 2 at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.

Hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To learn more, visit regionofwaterloomuseums.ca/blackandfree2024/

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The Region of Waterloo Museums & Archives operates four experiential sites throughout Waterloo Region. Together, Doon Heritage Village, Schneider Haus, McDougall Cottage and the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, tell stories from this region through educational and public programming, events, and over 60,000 artifacts.