Bodies of Land: Interwoven Stories of Place and Self

Helms Jarrell presents her solo show:

"Bodies of Land: Interwoven Stories of Place and Self"

The show opens on Jan 19, 5-7pm

Get your tickets for the artist facilitated workshop on Jan 22, 7-9pm.

Ask your questions on Jan 27, 7-8:30pm, at the Artist Talk.

Find a time to drop by to see the art on Jan 29, 11am-1pm & 3-7:30pm.

Celebrate the finale onFeb 10, 7-8pm, with a Final Closing party

Workshop Details and Artist statement below.

Worskhops Details: "Bodies of Land: Connecting Place, Neighbor, and Self in Artful Reflection" invites participants to explore their sense of home and connection to their surroundings through multimedia art. Led by facilitator and artist Rev. Helms Jarrell, attendees create art pieces reflecting their homes—be it a watershed, neighborhood, or imagined space. The experience prompts reflection on how our bodies relate to the spaces we inhabit and each other, addressing themes of disconnection and community. 

Bodies of Land will invite participants to consider the places they call home, and themselves inside those places. During this experience, each person will make a simple multimedia piece of art (with materials provided) to represent their home, whether a watershed, a neighborhood, or a place that exists only in memory, or in the future. How are our bodies connected to the spaces we inhabit? How are our bodies connected to one another? Where are we disconnected from ourselves and our neighbors?

Facilitator and multimedia artist Rev. Helms Jarrell will guide the reflections and artmaking. 

Project Statement:

"Bodies of Land: Interwoven Stories of Place and Self" is an immersive art exhibit that delves into the complex relationship between people, places, and the self through a variety of mixed media works. Created by interdisciplinary artist Rev. Helms Jarrell, this exhibit invites participants to reflect on their connections to home and community in the context of rapid urban change.

This collection includes a range of media—paper, collage, stitching, ceramics, sketches, and sound recordings—that explore themes of rootedness, transition, grief, and the evolving social fabric of neighborhoods. Through body mapping and artistic expression, Helms Jarrell investigates how she tethers herself to place, honors memories, and navigates change. Central to the exhibit is the use of stitching as both a meditative practice and a metaphor for healing, inviting visitors to participate in the act of repairing symbolic tears as a way of reconnecting with their surroundings.

The exhibition also incorporates guided reflections, encouraging viewers to consider their emotional and physical connections to the places they hold dear. Body portraits and maps, adorned with materials such as paper, cloth, and found objects, visually narrate these personal and collective stories. Acrylics, thread, and stitches hold significant meaning in the creative process, symbolizing the fluidity of emotions tied to change and the act of mending wounds in the face of displacement.

Bodies of Land is not only a visual exploration but also a call for community resilience. By weaving together personal narratives and artistic practice, this project fosters a deeper understanding of place and belonging, while empowering communities to advocate for their future amidst ongoing urban transformation.

Artist Statement: Helms Jarrell

For two decades, I have been on a journey of weaving together the threads of community, place, and self. Bodies of Land: Interwoven Stories of Place and Self is the culmination of this work, inviting you into a tapestry of experiences, reflections, and transformations. Through mixed media, sound recordings, visual art, and storytelling, I explore the profound connections between myself and my environment. This exhibit is a dialogue with the land and its history—a meditation on displacement, belonging, and the resilience of communities amidst change.

My work integrates meditative stitching and body mapping, making for deeply personal and spiritual connection. These practices, combined with ceramics, sketches, and collage, create a multi-layered narrative that honors the sacredness of place and the stories it holds. Sound recordings offer another layer of engagement, capturing the voices and memories of one who has shaped and been shaped by my surroundings.

I have witnessed firsthand the effects of urban development and gentrification in the Freedom-Wilkinson Corridor. These changes often lead to the displacement of long-term residents, the loss of cultural practices, and the unraveling of community bonds. Bodies of Land is my response—a project that captures the essence of these experiences through art.

This exhibit is not just an art collection; it is a communal space for witnessing, reflecting, and sharing. It is grounded in my faith and long-standing commitment to justice, advocating for the interconnectedness of people, place, and life together. As you walk through this space, I hope you feel the weight of the story, the presence of community, and the call to sustain and nurture both the land and each other.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

2916 Parkway Ave, 2916 Parkway Avenue, Charlotte, United States