ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Memorial Art Galley at the University of Rochester held its annual Black History Month celebration this weekend.
“I actually was painting back in Nigeria and I never took it serious,” said Omyedikachi Will Robinson, who was one of the artists featured.
For artists like Will Robinson, the celebration is a way celebrate his history and share it with others.
“Where I’m from they don’t actually appreciate the arts over there in Nigeria,” Robinson said. “To me coming down here and seeing a lot of different cultures trying to blend in, I see a lot of unique artists, a lot of unique Black paintings.”
This year’s celebration included art from local Black artists, dance and spoken word performances and hands on crafts, showcasing the significance of representing culture through art.
“I believe that it has a different feel when it is authentic and it celebrates culture,” said artist Lavonne Barfield. “It celebrates the truth of who we are and people get to see that and not just put you in a box of stereotypes of what someone might think it is.”
It allows artists like Robinson to use their art to spread a greater message.
“I really deal with a lot of Black love,” Robinson said. “Because I see that we’re lacking that you and I wanted us to bring that back, Black love and Black vibes, you know what I mean, into our arts.”
And he hopes that through this year’s celebration, the community will feel that love.
“To be able to celebrate our Blackness and who we are and our culture I think is very important for us to come together and celebrate that,” said Annie Dukes, guest program coordinator for Black History Month at the Memorial Art Gallery.
“Being able to talk to people and see what they see or hear their experiences through my art, its love and I love that,” Barfield said.
It’s a feeling Robinson hopes will only get stronger.
“I feel that love, I feel a lot of black love around me,” Robinson said.
“And I just feel like we should keep on going and doing that and showing love to one another.”