A Review: Black Voices and Visions – New Art Gallery Opens At The Attucks

By Glen Mason
Arts and Culture Correspondent
New Journal and Guide
NORFOLK

Moving, steering, captivating, educational. One can use any of these objects, plus the emotions the art at the Attucks invokes.

The images themselves are renderings, paintings, two and three-dimensional installations add texture to canvas of artistic expression in a myriad of expressions. The African-Diaspora is beautifully portrayed and touching on so many levels in the exhibit masterfully curated by Inspire Art Gallery owner Joan Rhodes-Copeland.

One is immediately captivated upon entrance to the newly furbished gallery located in a wing of the Attucks Theatre and its inaugural exhibit “Black Voices and Visions” which will be continue until April 3, 2026.

“Mother Freedom” by graphic artist and Photographer Tracey Owens gives you a moment to pause, subtly hinting at the artistry to come.

“Harriet feels right at home,” artist Tracey Owens said softly to an observer admiring her installation. 

Owens spent 39 years in the Army as a photographer and studied graphic design at Tidewater Community College. She said she was elated to be on exhibit at the gallery’s opening now that she regards herself as a “true artist.”

Just to the left of her was Donald Wilson’s installation “Southern Lyrics Song.”

“This composition was inspired by Billie Holiday and the lyrics she wrote for her song “Strange Fruit,” said Wilson when asked for his motivation at the opening reception. “It’s a notation for all the sacrifices we made for freedom.”

One piece that provoked conversation, as well as inter-reflection was the blue dominated hued acrylic “Door of No Return” by the inimitable abstract artist Ken Wright.

Bask with pride at the talent on exhibit at the Attucks. The gallery elevates the venue as a destination asset. Black Voices and Vision features 50 works by established and emerging artists. It opened last Friday with viewing during free “Arts at the Attucks” events and patrons during ticketed performances.

Featured Artists: Nfon Asuquo, Malaysia Balmer, Alora Bess, Arabella Blue-Quiroz, Debra Branch, Lexus Briggs, Theresa Brown, Kersey Caldwell, T’Air Carroll, Kadija Corinaldi, Sekira Deweese, Desiree Donovan, Byron Edwards, Michael Fletcher, David Freeman,  Iyana Graham, Christopher Green, David Harrison, ,Julian Haskins, Janell Johnson, Ray Johnson, Brittany Kee, Earl Manning, Jackie Merritt, Aeysa Nixon-Bright, Tracey Owens, Alicia Peoples, Ka-Son Reeves, Clayton Singleton, Ralph Thomas, Sherri Thompson, Selamawit Toney, Donald Wilson, Ken Wright.

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