Arcade Contemporary Art Projects: Friday, 21 February 2020

Back to Our RootsOpening reception 6 to 9 pm Friday, February 21. The exhibit runs through March 20.

“Our past shapes our unique perspectives, but through exploring our specific experiences, we can build community by recognizing the commonalities and universality of these experiences,” said Sophia Coon, director of the exhibit and a student in Webster’s Department of Art, Design and Art History.

Artists were invited to submit a piece they felt addresses their specific experience and informs their present self. “Back to Our Roots” received just under 50 submissions, of which the jury selected 23 works. 

“Back to Our Roots” is operating on its values of generosity and gratitude. Merchandise featuring “Back to Our Roots” graphics will be for sale at the exhibition’s opening. The proceeds will be donated directly to Bread & Roses Missouri. The mission of Bread & Roses Missouri, which is to use “an arts lens to examine social and economic justice issues,” in addition to their belief that “cultural and creative expression are a means to affect deep and lasting social change” aligns closely with the goals of this exhibition.

“With this exhibition, we hope to promote healing by finding gratitude in the act of confronting our pasts,” Coon said. “We believe healing is the first necessary step to resisting oppressive systems and finding peace.”

Arcade Contemporary Art Projects

Webster University Gateway Campus

812 Olive Street

St. Louis