Becoming the Sea Community Day

The Gantt welcomes the community to experience our newest exhibition, Becoming the Sea, with programming designed for all to explore the show’s deeper themes and context.

We are excited to unveil the works of 13 artists who were early participants in the esteemed Black Rock Senegal artist residency in Dakar, Senegal. The exhibition is the only of its kind in the United States, intentionally highlighting the talent that rises from Black Rock.

Our weekend celebration of Becoming The Sea begins with the opening reception on Friday, August 9, and extends to a Saturday of discussion, hands-on art, behind-the-scenes exhibition exploration, live music, and more – all of which have ancestral and diasporic influences that form a bridge between Dakar and Charlotte. It is a day of free admission and experiences that our community of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy. See the schedule below, and visit us to learn more about the exhibition.

Schedule of Programming:

Diaspora Crafts: Drop-In Art Activities 

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

3rd Floor Mezzanine

Complete a series of quick crafts that reflect foundational themes, such as replicas of drums, basket weaving, and beadwork.

Figures in Color: Family Figure Painting 

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Performance Suite, 2nd Floor

With the medium of watercolor, participants use figurative art and creative writing as vehicles to explore generational influences on body positivity in the Black community. Led by instructor Ida Mae, and part of the series created by .

Family First: Captivating, Colorful, and Creative Accessories 

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

4th Floor

Enjoy the process of creating captivating lapel pins, beads, buttons, fabrics, paints, and an array of embellishments to ensure your accessories are stylish, vibrant, and one-of-a-kind.

Creating the Exhibition: A Conversation with the Curator & Black Rock

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

2nd Floor Lobby

Hear the story of how the exhibition came to fruition from the perspective of its curator, Dexter Wimberly, and Executive Director of the Black Rock Global Arts Foundation, Zoé Fortin. The conversation includes an audience Q&A.

Cultural Storytelling: Voices of Our Ancestors 

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Performance Suite, 2nd Floor

This two-hour collection of experiences includes creative writing, storytelling, and sound bathing to honor cultural heritage and personal stories, equip participants with a deeper understanding of the art of storytelling, and foster a sense of community and shared cultural identity. Led by cultural media platform, .

In-Gallery Tour with Curator Dexter Wimberly 

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Gallery West, 3rd Floor

Becoming the Sea curator Dexter Wimberly provides an in-gallery tour of the exhibition, giving deeper context to his design and selections. The tour includes points of Q&A and discussion with the curator.

The Drums, A Diasporic Foundation 

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

2nd Floor Lobby

We close out the day with a live DJ and drum set combination that soundtracks the diverse manifestations of the drum. Featuring sounds from Manu Dibango, Celia Cruz, Libianca, and more. Co-curated and performed by DJ and drummer WALT.

For directions and parking, visit us .

Image Credit: Tajh Rust, Not Without Laughter, 2024. From www.tajhrust.com

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, 551 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, United States