“Community Conversation” events are free and open to the public, and can be attended in person or online, accessible through the SMOA’s Facebook page and Zoom, where viewers can comment.
SMOA museum educator Amy Korpieski said Davis and museum staff hoped for more than just the exhibition to get people talking, and the organization’s distinction of being a Smithsonian Affiliate led to an answer. The Smithsonian has an online resource called “Talking About Race” that provided a guide for topics, with the leading question being how can we talk about race?
Korpieski said the artwork in the exhibition is a springboard for conversation and this broadens the experience.
“Our world is conversing about race right now and at the museum, we believe art can diffuse the tension of challenging conversations and provide a productive way to explore ideas about race and our community,” she said.
The events will be in the SMOA’s main gallery where the exhibition is and the conversations will last 45-60 minutes in an open conversation format led by the guests, who will speak from their experiences. All voices are welcome, but hate speech will not be tolerated.
Those attending will be able to continue the conversation and browse the gallery at the conclusion.
Future “Community Conversation” events will be 2 p.m. at the SMOA and subjects will include Race as Social Construct with artist Andrea Walker Cummings on Dec. 11; Community Building with artist Dwayne Daniel and Dr. Dawayne Kirkman of Central State University on Jan. 8; and Social Identities and Systems led by Karlos Marshall, founder and president of the Conscious Connect. Other guests may be added.
The exhibition and series are being funded in part from a grant by Ohio Humanities.
“Black Life as Subject Matter II” will be on display at the SMOA through Feb. 27. Korpieski said it has already had many visitors and guests of the artists see it.
“This is so important and brave and people need to see it, there is so much to talk about,” said Korpieski. “At the museum, we’re interested in having things in our gallery that are from diverse backgrounds and this is an exciting and relevant show.”
The SMOA is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for non-members and visitors are requested to wear masks.
HOW TO GO
What: “Community Conversation” – Bias
Where: Springfield Museum of Art, 107 Cliff Park Rd., Springfield
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13
Admission: free
More info: www.springfieldart.net
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