“Dancing Lady with the Jazz” by Yusuf Yahya is one of more than 150 works of art on display this month at RIT/NTID’s Dyer Arts Center. The exhibit, showcasing the works of black deaf artists, is a tribute to Black History Month.
In celebration of Black History Month, the Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Arts Center at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf is hosting a rare exhibit showcasing the work of black deaf artists around the globe.
“Unfolding the Soul of Black Deaf Expressions” runs through February 27, 2016, and features more than 150 works of art from 30 black deaf artists. Pieces in the exhibit represent a variety of artistic media including paintings, photography, and drawings.
A three-day symposium will also be held February 25–27 in the Dyer Arts Center. Many of the presentations are free including “Empowering Young Black Deaf Artists” by Emily Blachly; “Preserving the Legacy of Black Deaf Art,” by LeeAnne Valentine; “How to be an Art Patron,” by Fred Beam and Earl Terry; and “Success Stories of Black Deaf Artists,” presented by a group of participating artists.
“One of the goals of the Dyer Arts Center is to display exhibits promoting cultural groups at least once a year,” said Tabitha Jacques, gallery director. “This season, we are proudly featuring the magnificent work of black deaf artists. It’s important to us that Dyer Arts Center’s exhibits and programs encourage discussion on the myriad types of art that are found within the deaf community.”
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls 18,600 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the US. The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
For a complete schedule of symposium events and more information about the exhibit, visit the Dyer Arts Center website. Gallery hours are 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and 1:00–5:00 PM, Saturdays.
Source: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Photo credit: RIT, Dyer Arts Center
