Black Female Artists Exhibit Their Talent At CCNY

By Maty DrameAs Black History Month comes to a close, don’t miss out on Black (W)omen: Seen It Before, an exhibition curated by the Harlem Arts Alliance, an organization of established and emerging creatives. The show, in collaboration with the CCNY’s Black Studies program, features artwork from photographer Koren Martin and visual artist and performer Rafia.During the opening ceremony, held on February 7th, faculty, staff, students and guests got a chance to learn more about Martin and the message behind her photographic documentary work on Atlantic City, New Jersey. “They are really celebrating Black women as truth seekers, past, present and future. But it’s also an omen, a call to action,” Martin said of her displays.Professor Cheryl Sterling, director of the Black Studies program, reinforced that view. “This year we’re dedicating our work toward celebrating Black women.” She also applauded the platform the CCNY has offered to Black culture.Joyous Pierce, program director at HAA and the curator of the exhibition, noted that CCNY was a natural choice for a site for the show. “It really holds a special place for the archiving of Black works,” referring to the rich collection of Black archives that the school’s Cohen Library holds. That, to Pierce, makes the school the perfect place to showcase the works of Black female artists.The exhibition is located in the NAC building’s Cohen Library Archives on the fifth floor and will remain open until March 1.