Bend art exhibit showcases Black artists and community participation

Last month, the Pinckney Gallery in Bend launched “Black Excellence Showcase,” a contemporary art exhibit featuring painted canvases, digital art, sculptures and mixed-media installations. It’s the first time that an exhibit highlighting Black artists has been presented at the gallery, which is located on the campus of Central Oregon Community College.

The idea for it coalesced through conversations between June Park, the director of the gallery and an adjunct arts professor at COCC, and members of the Afrocentric Student Club as part of the programming on campus to honor Black History Month.

It was important to Park, who uses they/them pronouns, to create a space for people of color to come together and be represented through art and personal stories in Central Oregon.

“People always talk about how there aren’t people of color here in Central Oregon, and actually we are here,” they said. “And I always wonder why there’s so much focus on the lack of diversity instead of focusing on getting to know the people of color who are here, and getting to hear their unique stories and perspectives that I think are really worth hearing.”

Mel Smith is a member of the Afrocentric Studies Club and is completing a certificate in graphic design and illustration at COCC. The exhibit features five works of art made by Smith who, along with community member Shandell Landon, helped Park organize the “Black Excellence Showcase.”