The Baltimore Jewelry Center will host United, an exhibition by emerging artist Shani Richards. Richards creates objects that address issues of racism, sexism, and stereotypes to provoke the viewer into critical engagement. In United, artist Richards asks can a person take back an offensive/taboo word and make it their own? United will be on view in the BJC’s gallery in Baltimore’s Station North Arts & Entertainment District (10 E. North Ave.) from May 7 to May 23 with an opening reception on Friday, May 7 from 5 to 8pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Founded in June 2014, the Baltimore Jewelry Center is the successor organization to the MICA Jewelry Center, which had served the metalsmithing and art jewelry community in the Baltimore area for twenty-two years. Today, the nonprofit is providing a rigorous academic program and robust studio access program for metal and jewelry artists.

Shani Richards is fascinated with how people use jewelry, body modifications,
shoes, and clothing to convey their race, social status, religious affiliation, sexual orientation,
and class. She is incensed and inspired by the word N-i-g-g-e-r, and how the Black community
years ago, decided to take the N-word back. United is an exhibition of pendants featuring racial and ethnic slurs, sexual orientations, gender pronouns, and more. Richard’s goal for the exhibition is that by revealing a rainbow of slurs, people will see themselves reflected somewhere in it and maybe gain a greater understanding of the power of the N-word. The art relies on audience participation and conversation. Throughout the exhibition, viewers will be invited to wear the pendant of their choice. Selfies posted on social media are encouraged so the conversation can spread out beyond the community.

“The Baltimore Jewelry Center features one of the only art jewelry galleries in the Mid-Atlantic. Our exhibition program exposes the larger public to contemporary and traditional metal arts, and acts as a platform to promote and sell the work of local artists and national artists in the metalsmithing field,” said Shane Prada, Director. “We are fortunate to share Shani’s work in our gallery. She is utilizing jewelry as a tool to increase awareness and empathy while opening up a dialogue that goes far beyond adornment and decoration to a conversation that is so very needed in the field of art jewelry.”