School of Art Welcomes Artists from The Color Network in 'Voices for Change' Exhibition

April Felipe

In the flood we hope not to drown

The School of Art at the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to welcome artists from The Color Network featured in 'Voices for Change' exhibition at the Fine Arts Center Gallery.

Voices for Change is currently on display and open to the public through Dec. 4. A virtual panel discussion with five of the artists will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3. Curator and writer Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy will facilitate the panel and discussion with artists Natalia Arbelaez, Adam Chau, April Felipe, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Yinka Orafidiya. 

The Color Network is an organization with a mission to aid in the advancement of people of color in ceramic arts through development, networking and mentorship. The exhibition features nine artists from the organization.  

"The Color Network has been advocating for artists of color for over 40 years, I am proud to help bring a representation of their work to campus," said Linda Lopez, assistant professor of ceramic art. "As the network evolves, I see the founders empowering the next generation to build upon the work that has been done and the collaborative efforts of all to bring more artists of color out of their own silos and into a place of strength and community."

Voices for Change aims to speak of racial identity in both overt and subversive ways; this coding of culture intends to play on many levels, including a window for the group they represent and those who have no experience in marginalization.

The artists in Voices for Change come from various backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. All artists of color, they are active voices in their communities eager to share their message. While their plights are different and they have faced their own obstacles while navigating the art world, they believe that when people speak up for each other their collective voices are stronger.

Artists included in Voices for Change: 

• Natalia Arbelaez, interdisciplinary artist, researcher and educator
• Paul Briggs, artist and associate professor at MassArt
• Adam Chau, artist and museum manager at Hudson Valley MOCA
• Jennifer Ling Datchuck, artist and assistant professor of ceramics at Texas State University
• April D. Felipe, artist and community arts educator
• Salvador Jiménez-Flores, artist and assistant professor at the School of Art Institute of Chicago
• Roberto Lugo, artist, social activist, poet and professor at Temple University
• Paul Andrew Wandless, artist and social activist
• Yinka Orafidiya, potter and socially-engaged artist

The Fine Arts Center Gallery is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the upcoming holiday break please contact Maryamsadat Amirvaghefi, mamirvag@uark.edu, to schedule a viewing Monday-Wednesday, normal gallery hours will resume Nov. 30.