The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia will host an exhibition opening reception for two new exhibits from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 22.

NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition

This ceramics exhibition will coincide with “Coalescence,” the 58th Annual Conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), taking place in Richmond from March 20 through 23, 2024. Works included in the exhibition range in size from tabletop vases to life-size creations, each representing the artists interpretation of the conference theme.

The practice of using clay as a medium for artistic expression has been in existence in many cultures for centuries, including the African diaspora. Visitors can see the cultural connectivity of the works created by artists from various backgrounds while

experiencing the value in the diversity. The exhibition is designed to provide access and knowledge about the tradition of ceramic arts to new audiences.

“Like the Dust Settles in Layers, So Does the Story”

Organized by professor Lydia C. Thompson, and curated to complement the NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition, this ceramics exhibition invites viewers to challenge stereotypes related to communities, environments, race, economics, and societal roles, focusing on the themes of self-reflection, strength, and the beauty of resilience during challenging times. Professor Thompson is a faculty member of the Art and Art History Department at the University of North Carolina Charlotte.

A distinguished mixed media artist, Professor Thompson earned a bachelor’s from The Ohio State University and a master’s of fine arts from the New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University.

Her accolades include a Fulbright Hayes grant, and she was a Windgate Distinguished Fellow for Innovation in Craft.

Besides the United States, Professor Thompson has been an artist in residence in Canada and Denmark. Her work has been showcased internationally and is featured in public and private collections around the globe.

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia is located at 122 W. Leigh St. For more information, visit www.blackhistorymuseum.org.