Nyugen Smith, “Bundlehouse Rising Into Something Else Again.”

Indigo Arts Alliance and its partner The Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art & Design announce the opening of “Visions for our Future; Echoes of our Past: Dianne Smith, Nyugen E. Smith, and Carl Joe Williams,” curated by IAA deputy director Jordia Benjamin and studio and program coordinator Ashley Page, on view March 26 to May 6.

“Visions for our Future; Echoes of our Past: Dianne Smith, Nyugen E. Smith, and Carl Joe Williams” transforms the galleries of the Institute of Contemporary Art with storytelling, expressions of care, craftsmanship and vibrant color. The three featured artists, all of whom are former artist residents at IAA, present works in installation, painting, collage, sculpture, textiles, video, photography and sound.

Carl Joe Williams, “After Big Mama Passed, Family Portrait.”

The curators note, “‘Visions for our Future; Echoes of our Past’ offers a perspective into the lives, histories and experiences of Black/Brown culture and communities that are historically siloed, suppressed and removed from the canon of art history. The exhibiting artists are examining, deconstructing, and re-inventing new ways of making in order to accurately reflect global communities. It is our hope that Black/Brown audiences continue to see themselves, their community and stories as valid, honored and valued. We strongly believe that art, along with active community engagement, is imperative to manifest change.”

IAA’s energy and ambitious vision provide critical roadmaps to building a healthy, multiracial society, one that recognizes our shared past and foregrounds black excellence, such as with the works in this exhibition.

Since its inception in May of 2019, IAA has transformed the local and national arts landscape through its advocacy and commitment to visibility for Black and Brown artists. Dedicated to the professional development and amplification of Black/Brown artists, IAA is an innovative, Black-led studio space for artists that offers multi-faceted Artist in Residency Programs and a communal work space that invites collaboration. Its space is an environment for artwork production across all disciplines. Through its residency programs, fellowship, internships and daily community commitments, IAA embodies the work required for the dismantling and rebuilding of cultural narratives that have shaped American culture.

Learn more at www.indigoartsalliance.me and follow IAA at @indigoartsalliance.

Related Programming:
5 to 6:30 p.m. April 21: Artist Talk with Dianne Smith, Nyugen E. Smith and Carl Joe Williams, moderated by Myron Beasley (virtual). For more information about the exhibition, visit the ICA website.