About the Exhibit
After creating two paper cuts for the national juried show entitled “Flowers and Gardens” held at the 311 Gallery in Raleigh, North Carolina, artist Janelle Washington was compelled to create the series “Blooming in the Whirlwind”. Drawing inspiration from everyday people and the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks (see “The Second Sermon on the Warpland”), Washington explores innovative ways to express and illustrate the struggles and beauty that emerge in the daily lives of African Americans.
In our current society, African Americans have had to resort to creating hashtags like #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoyJoy to overshadow and change negative stereotypes and narratives. Through the medium of 3-D layered paper cuts, the artist seeks to show the changed narrative by using the faces of the youth, text, flower crowns, symbolic imagery such as Adinkra symbols, and body parts as metaphors. Washington will illuminate the innocence of black youth, the resilience in their eyes, and the many layers of frustration, hope, and joy that they carry. The simplicity of paper silhouettes allows the viewer to focus on the faces- faces that portray one as they are even if the world around them says otherwise. Because "we are in fact the beautiful bloom”.
Related Programming:
Opening Reception: The exhibition will be on display April 9-May 6, 2021 with an opening reception on April 9, 2021 from 6:30-8:30pm. RSVP is requested. Face masks or shields are required. At the reception, patrons will have the chance to win one of the artist’s pieces! To enter this raffle, please RSVP; only those who RSVP and are present at the reception are eligible to win. RSVP is available here.
Blooming in the Whirlwind Flower Crown Workshop: On Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, the youth are invited to create their own paper flower crown with papercut artist Janelle Washington! This workshop will introduce participants to the art of paper crafting and the beautiful history of flower crowns. The registration deadline for this event is Friday, April 9, 2021 at 11:59 pm. PLEASE READ: All materials are included for in-person instruction. Online participants are responsible for their own supplies. For convenience, we offer a Supplies tool-kit (an optional add-on for $11). Included in the supplies tool-kit are all of the necessary supplies for this event, which are:
One (1) Ruler
One (1) Pair of Scissors
The deadline to purchase the supplies tool-kit is Friday, April 2, 2021 at 11:59 pm. The tool-kit can be picked up from customer service during business hours between the dates of Wednesday, April 7 - Saturday, April 10, 2021. For in-person registration participants: If you are 15 minutes late to the in-person option for Flower Crown Workshop, your RSVP will be released. If you register for the in-person option and are running late on the day of the event, please notify us ASAP by calling 757-247-8950. After 15 minutes, your space will no longer be guaranteed.
Registration Policy:
To view the full Registration Policy, please visit our website at downing-gross.org/registration-policy
Ticketing Policy:
To view the full Ticketing Policy, please visit our website at downing-gross.org/tickets
COVID-19 Building Practices:
To learn more about how business practices have changed to slow the spread of COVID-19, please visit our website at downing-gross.org/covid