Speaking of Silence II opens Thursday, January 10, 6-8pm at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center. This exhibition features an installation with new audio-portraits by Beth Barbush and Yutaka Houlette, who interviewed clients of such organizations as House of Ruth, My Sister’s Place, and Harford House. Part of their ongoing Addressing Silence series, Houlette’s and Barbush’s work combine audio, photographs, and quotations in an installation about the importance of finding voice and being heard.
Also included in the exhibit are works created during Art on Purpose workshops by students from Baltimore Freedom Academy, Crossroads School, and Learning Inc. who have been looking at the issue of silence from various perspectives the past several months. At the opening reception, you will have the opportunity to hear directly from youth participants, as well as add your own reflections on the topic.
On Saturday, January 26, 2-4pm, join community advocates, artists, and individuals for “Starting to Speak, Learning to Listen,” a gathering to converse about finding voice and the power of art as a tool to facilitate open communication. This is a great opportunity to learn how projects such as Addressing Silence can be a means of effectively giving visibility to disenfranchised populations.
Programming for Speaking of Silence II concludes on Wednesday, January 30, 6-7:30pm with the presentation of UNLEASHED: Chezia Thompson Cager Meets KRE. This evening of performance, poetry and music features award-winning poet and performer Chezia Thompson Cager, whose original poetry is performed by the Kevin Robinson Jazz Ensemble. The evening includes the participation of The Fire Poets, poets and students at the Maryland Institute College of Art. www.artonpurpose.org
