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Home Morningside Events - Morningside Area Alliance Arts Wellness “Reflections of WEUSI 1965 – Present” The Intersection of Power, Art, and Wellness for Stress Awareness Month
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Organizer

The Children's Art Carnival
Website
https://www.nyc-arts.org/organizations/children-s-art-carnival/
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Venue

Children's Art Carnival
62 Hamilton Terrace New York, NY 10031

Other Locations

Hamilton Landmark Galleries
Category

TICKETS/REGISTER LINK

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Date

Apr 24 - 26 2025

Time

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Formats (virtual, in person, hybrid)

In-Person

“Reflections of WEUSI 1965 – Present” The Intersection of Power, Art, and Wellness for Stress Awareness Month

Honoring the Legacy of the WEUSI Artist Collective: 60 Years of Black Artistic Power

Art, Drumming, & Spoken Word

In recognition of Stress Awareness Month, media members are invited to a special Pre-Exhibition Press Preview on April 24 for Reflections of WEUSI 1965 – Present, an immersive celebration honoring the legendary Harlem-based WEUSI Artist Collective and the transformative power of art for healing, cultural pride, and resistance.  Hosted by The Children’s Art Carnival and Hamilton Landmark Galleries. This multi-sensory exhibition features bold art, live drumming, dance, poetry, and appearances by WEUSI artists and cultural influencers—all designed to highlight how art fosters stress relief, emotional restoration, and joy in today’s high-pressure world. In a time when burnout and anxiety are rising, this celebration of Black artistic expression serves as a necessary balm for the spirit and a powerful reminder of art’s role in wellness and liberation. The exhibit will open to the public on April 26 at two locations in Harlem – Children’s Art Carnival and Hamilton Landmark Galleries; additional information and more about programming at https://childrensartcarnival.org/.

In 1965, from the cultural heartbeat of Harlem, the WEUSI Artist Collective emerged as a revolutionary force in the world of art, identity, and Black consciousness. Rooted in the Swahili word for “Blackness,” WEUSI redefined the narrative of Black expression—elevating African heritage, reclaiming artistic space, and building platforms that centered the beauty, depth, and art.
At a time when Black artists were excluded from mainstream institutions, WEUSI built their own. In 1967, they opened the Nyumba Ya Sanaa Gallery (“House of Art”)—a pioneering artist-run gallery in Harlem that became a cultural haven and launchpad for countless creatives.  Among the founding members were Ben Jones, Otto Neals, Taiwo DuVall, Ademola Olugebefola, Okoe Pyatt, Emmett Wigglesworth, Gaylord Hassan, Abdullah Aziz, Dindga McCannon, and Kay Brown infused African symbolism, history, and spirituality into their work—laying the foundation for today’s Black visual language.  Michael Unthank, Co-Chair, Board of Trustees for Children’s Art Carnival, “The Weusi Artist Collective served as a trailblazing catalyst of the Black Arts Movement of the ’60s, and made an indelible mark on the culture of Harlem by paving the way for recognition for Black artists that had long been denied.  The Art Carnival is uniquely linked to many of their members, and their commitment to Black creativity is alive today.  We’re proud to have this opportunity to recognize their work, their contribution to the culture here in Harlem, and their impact throughout the world.”

WEUSI’s momentum and mission seeded and influenced a wave of Black-centered institutions across the U.S., including:

  • The Studio Museum in Harlem (1968): WEUSI members were instrumental in shaping the museum’s founding ethos. Their mentorship, exhibitions, and leadership helped make it the foremost institution for Black contemporary art.
  • The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: WEUSI artists frequently collaborated with the Center—curating exhibitions and enriching Harlem’s cultural ecosystem.
  • The African American Museum in Philadelphia, the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Boston, and the California African American Museum (CAAM) carry forward WEUSI’s legacy of amplifying Black artists and histories. WEUSI’s influence also sparked the formation of community-based galleries and collectives nationwide—from OBAC (Chicago) to grassroots movements in Detroit, Oakland, and Washington, D.C.

 

April 24 and April 26 events will spotlight performances by:

  • Luther Isler, a.k.a. The Artist Anubis – a spoken word poet, cultural curator, and founder of Harlem Bomb Shelter. His award-nominated one-person show “BROKEN MIRROR: A Poetic Mosaic of a Broken Mind” explored mental wellness and identity themes.
  • Baba Don “Babatunde” Eaton is a master percussionist, author, educator, and founder of Percussion Arts Projects LLC. With over 25 years of experience, Baba Don blends rhythm and pedagogy to connect with youth and elders alike. His work has graced major American stages and global collaborations.

 

From public murals to museum wings, the WEUSI Artist Collective redefined art with community mural movements, Afrocentric arts education, Black-led institutions and collectives, and major exhibitions at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.  As we celebrate six decades of creative genius, the WEUSI Collective remains a living blueprint for how art can build community, restore identity, and serve as a force for wellness. Black art is not just revolutionary—it heals, builds, and reclaims.  “After thirty years, Hamilton Landmark Galleries and the Weusi Collective still partner to elevate awareness of the consciousness of contemporary artists who resonate with the Black Arts Movement.  We look forward to presenting demonstrations, conversations and collaborations during this exhibition month,” says founder Kim Hamilton.

 

Join us for Reflections of WEUSI 1965 – Present and be part of an experience that uplifts mind, body, and spirit.  For interviews, images, or more information about the WEUSI Artist Collective and the exhibition, visit The Children’s Art Carnival website, https://childrensartcarnival.org/; please contact:  Karen Taylor Bass | kt@taylormademediapr.com | 917-509-3061 for media interviews.

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