Artists & Makers Studios in Rockville Presents
“Everyday Every Day” with Artists of BADC
(Rockville, MD) – Artists & Makers Studios on Parklawn Drive in Rockville is delighted to host Black Artists of DC and four featured artists for the month of July. The exhibit, with Ralston Cyrus, Selena “Noir” Jackson, Gabrielle Moore, and Reshada Pullen-Jireh runs from July 6th through July 26th at Artists & Makers Studios, with an opening reception on Friday, July 7th, 5 – 8pm. This group exhibition features a range of portraiture from playful candids to contemplative poses. Each artist centers the Black body in a way that invites the viewer to focus on the everyday humanity in the image.
The current socio-political landscape in the US is filled with conflict and polarization. Moreover, the racism and anti-Blackness demonstrated by George Floyd’s 2020 murder still exists. While it is important to understand the history of and resistance to that oppression, Black life is more than struggle, pain, and protest. The artists in this exhibition, a partnership between Black Artists of DC (BADC) and Artists & Makers Studios, celebrate everyday Black humanity through portraiture. This art centers the Black body and invites focus on the beauty that Black people exude every day.
With overlapping goals, each artist approaches their work in a unique way:
Ralston Cyrus places his subjects in peaceful isolation using graphite, charcoal, oil, and digital media. He enjoys what he calls “the subtle, but transcendent qualities of the human form via representational and abstract infused expressions.”
Selena “Noir” Jackson wants to depict more than just the likeness of her sitters. She attempts to capture their spirit and says she wants her oil portraits “to evoke a sense of authenticity, autonomy, and actualization”—qualities that she feels have been “robbed by the Western gaze.”
Gabrielle Moore uses the body and body language to describe scenes and memories that many people can relate to. She says she wants “to create portraits that tell a story of everyday events or thoughts that are not normally shown within art.”
Reshada Pullen-Jireh is inspired by community, connectivity, and joy. Her portraiture aims to capture small moments of peace and joy either with oneself or with friends and loved ones. She says she finds that “seeking peace and choosing joy is a weapon or defense against overt and subtle oppression.”
Enjoy additional exhibits – “Monochrome – Black to White and in between” with Resident Artists, and 19 Gallery 209 Artists exhibiting their latest work. On view in the Gallery Hall, July 6th – July 26th.
Anne Sanderoff-Walker
“Everyday Every Day” with BADC, curated by Gia Harewood
“Monochrome – Black to White and in between” with Resident Artists
The Artists of Gallery 209
Opening Reception
5:00pm – 8:00pm, Friday, July 7th, 2023
Artists & Makers Studios
11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 210
Rockville, MD 20852
Artist Talk with BADC Curator Gia Harewood and Featured Artists
July 15th from 1pm-3pm at Artists & Makers Studios
Panel Discussion “The Pros and Cons of Gallery Representation”
July 22nd from 4pm-6pm at The Yard, Eastern Market
700 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Washington DC
Exhibits for BADC, the Resident Artists, and Gallery 209 will run from July 6th through July 26th. Viewing hours are 10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Saturday, and Sundays by chance or appointment.
Artists and Makers Studios Press Release JULY 2023 Parklawn Exhibits