Amid the creative energy of the University of Minnesota’s Regis Center for Art, the exhibition Layers of Joy illuminates the transformative power of Black joy as resistance. Curated by students from the university, this compelling showcase features works from five local Black artists who delve into the nuanced intersections of identity, community, and resilience.
At the exhibition’s heart is seangarrison, whose live painting performance opened the event with vibrant expressions of freedom and transformation. His use of bold colors and swift strokes created a narrative journey from darkness to light, emphasizing hope and liberation. “Part of community and being joyful is that we cherish our families and our community and our friends, because those of us who live long enough know—tomorrow ain’t promised,” garrison remarked, reflecting on the essence of gratitude and joy.
The exhibition grew out of a two-semester course led by Assistant Professors Daniel M. Greenberg (art history) and Dwight K. Lewis, Jr. (philosophy). Students collaborated closely with local artists, gaining firsthand insights into their creative processes. Clare Sokolski, an art history major, noted, “We picked out artists whose layered materiality mirrored the complexities of experiencing the world as a Black person.”
The artworks span various mediums—painting, sculpture, textiles, photography, and mixed media—highlighting the rich diversity of Black artistry. Alexandra Beaumont’s delicate fabric silhouettes celebrate human connection, while Cameron Patricia Downey’s piece Jackie on the Floor portrays a family member’s joyous moment with evocative detail. Eyenga Bokamba’s glowing silk and metal installations offer a visceral sense of movement and vitality, embodying themes of creation and transformation.
For many student curators, the experience was transformative. Sania Kathi, an anthropology major, shared her awe in meeting artists in their studios, while Roque E. Wood-Sinclair, a cinema and media culture student, reflected on discovering the profound value of art and community. “It’s a new thing for me, understanding how art translates to the community at large,” he said.
The exhibition aligns with Art and Artifact: Murals from the Minneapolis Uprising, concurrently displayed in the Katherine E. Nash Gallery. Together, the two exhibitions juxtapose expressions of struggle and joy, offering complementary narratives of Black resistance and resilience. “It’s important to recognize both forms of resistance for Black people in Minneapolis,” said Haleigh Keane, a senior art history major.
Through their thoughtful curation, the students aim to foster a space for community, safety, and celebration. As Julieta Hernandez, another student curator, remarked, “We hope the exhibit creates a space not only of community but of safety and joy.”
The show underscores the importance of joy as a form of resistance and a testament to Black resilience. By celebrating the multifaceted experiences of Black artists, Layers of Joy offers a beacon of hope and a call to cherish the transformative power of art.
This story was first reported by Sheila Regan, a Twin Cities-based arts journalist who writes for MinnPost.