Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery welcomes new exhibit

Faces on the Other Side of the Fence,” by Ricky Dyaloyi. Photo courtesy Professor Harris Wiltsher

The FAMU Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery announced this week the opening of a new exhibition, “Home Is Where the Art Is,”The exhibit, which opened Thursday, celebrates small and large artworks from local and international artists. It also features art collections from FAMU’s faculty including Valencia Matthews, dean of the College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities, and theater professor Evelyn Tyler. The exhibition celebrates Black art collecting and its value throughout history.

As many people are working from home during the pandemic, this exhibition promotes visual comfort from intriguing art pieces and gives spectators a dose of happiness.

Aja Roache, theFoster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery director, says the exhibit supports Black artists through art collecting and allows viewers to take a step back and enjoy the work.

“While we were working from home last semester, my own art collection was something that I enjoyed having in my home, so I think this exhibit is a great way to promote the investment of art collecting which can seem very expensive, specially from Black artists,” Roache said.

Hosted by the Department of Visual Arts, Humanities and Theater, the gallery is centered on the visual arts program, which is designed to give future artists the opportunities to expose their artistry to various perspectives through the community.

 Harris Wiltsher, a professor in the visual arts program, says the current emphasis onBlack art forms focuses on depicting the race tensions in the United States to the scope of the viewer.

“To address specific elements of Black history or its community certainly is attainable, but the position of my work is to provide a cultural and/or educational meaning to dialogue with my audience and document my personal experiences within the framework of the African diaspora,”Wiltsher said.

Roche added that the staff at theFoster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery are passionate about quality art and community engagement.

Home is Where the Art opened to the public on Thursday and will be on display until April 24. Visitors are welcome Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturdays, noon until 4 p.m., or by appointment.