SEECA X WSSU Art & Visual Studies Gallery Event

My journey with the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) began with a question: how accessible is this space for my community at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and others like us? Attending an open discussion at SECCA on accessibility allowed me to voice these concerns.

The dedication to inclusivity was evident. SECCA's programming strives to engage a diverse audience, and their commitment to public interaction with art was clear.

This resonated deeply after attending "Hanging Tree Vines," a captivating exhibit by North Carolina-based African American artist Freeman Vines. It easily ranked among the top three shows I've ever seen. The exhibit featured custom,handcrafted guitars suspended from the ceiling like vines. Inspired by this experience, I emphasized the importance of exposing young Black artists like myself to such works – representation matters.

SECCA's support was unwavering. Following the discussion, I connected with Alex Brown, Director of Programming.We brainstormed ways to engage WSSU students. He recommended attending the opening night of "Black@ Intersection," guest-curated by Duane Cyrus.

The energy that night was unforgettable. The exhibition itself was stunning, and Duane Cyrus's captivating presence and explanations left a lasting impression. I knew I wanted to recreate this experience for WSSU students.

With Duane's collaboration, we arranged a special viewing of "Black@ Intersection" for the students. We even created an opportunity for them to showcase their artistic talents within the exhibition space. It was a resounding success, and I'm thrilled everyone enjoyed the experience