Black History Month Activities
February 1- March 1, 2022
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY IN CANADA THROUGH TESSELLATION AND PORTRAITURE
Moved by a push for greater social justice, NWSS Art students researched prominent figures from Black History in Canada and share their contributions in black and white tessellation patterns and portraits. Equal parts ‘black’ and ‘white’ in these works challenges a Eurocentric-lens that is too often applied when discussing history by featuring People of Colour (POC) and Black Canadians in an equally starring role. Each student provides a thoughtful artist statement with their portrait.
February 2-June 19, 2022
New Westminster Museum at Anvil Centre
Book your free, timed entry ticked to view the exhibition online or call 604-527-4640.
EYEWITNESS
New Media Gallery presents an exhibition that explores how powerful new technologies are used to gather, analyze and report out to a global audience. From cell phone and CCTV content, to forensic analysis, to creative coding, the artists and activists in this exhibition gain access to missing, hidden or difficult-to-retrieve information. One of the works in this exhibition is The Killing of Mark Duggan by UK based Forensic Architecture. The police shooting of Mark Duggan is a highly contentious case that has been widely cited by Black Lives Matter in the UK. While the circumstances of his death differ markedly from that of the US police killing of George Floyd, Duggan is one of a lengthy list of black people who have died or sustained serious injuries during encounters with British police officers. His death nine years ago triggered the biggest riots in modern English history. Since then family, friends and campaigners have questioned whether the full story has been told. In 2020, Forensic architecture released an extraordinary forensic investigation that raise questions about the circumstances of his death. The ways in which new technologies and citizen-reporting are used by artist/activist groups, in the pursuit of justice, transparency and disclosure….to challenge narratives, opinion and law, will persist and continue to evolve.
Book your free, timed entry ticked to view the exhibition online starting on February 4.
February 5 – March 30, 2022
New Media Gallery at Anvil Centre
YOUTH SERVICES AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Youth Services will be extending our acknowledgment of Black Excellence Day to Black History Month by connecting with youth all month long through social media, website, and drop in programs. Youth can expect profiles of staff and influential Canadians, activities, discussion, and information sharing. Stop by one of our drop in programs or check out our Instagram page for more information.
Instagram: @newwestyouth
Website: newwestyouth.ca
THURSDAY TUNES
Enjoy tunes in the park featuring local musicians. Bring your own chair, blankets, beverages and snacks and take in the sounds. Thursday Tunes will feature Sam Chimes, an Afro-Canadian jazzy hip hop music artist. He is an international street performer, producer, and DJ who has ventured around the world twice, supported by his music. He continues to share his undying message: 'Live your dream, don't back down'.
Thursday, February 17
6:30-7:30 pm
Sapperton Plaza
Please dress for the weather, this will take place rain or shine.
LAST MONDAY AT THE MOVIES
Presented by the Arts Council of New Westminster, Last Monday at the Movies feature film will be The Last Black Man in San Francisco. The plot centers around the efforts of a young black man to reclaim his childhood home, a now-expensive Victorian house. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019 where it won awards for Best Directing and a Special Jory Prize for Creative Collaboration.
Tickets are $9.00 and can be purchased in advance online or are available for cash only at the door.
Anvil Centre Theatre
Monday, February 28
Doors open at 6:30 pm. Film begins at 7:00 pm.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH READING LISTS
The New Westminster Public Library has prepared the recommended lists below for those that would like to educated themselves or their family on topics about Black history and conversations about race.
For Adults:
Black History Month Reading List
Black History on DVD
For Children:
Prejudice and Racism Reading List
Black History Month Fiction
Black History Month Nonfiction