A significant art exhibition, Before the Americas, has found a new venue after being cancelled under former President Donald Trump‘s ban on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Originally scheduled to open at the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington, D.C., the exhibition is now showcasing at the Gillespie Gallery at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The exhibition opened on September 13, 2023, featuring works from 39 artists representing 17 countries.
Curated by Cheryl Edwards, the exhibition delves into themes of ancestral memory, migration, and interconnectivity, primarily focusing on African American, Afro-Latino, and Caribbean communities. It showcases a diverse range of mediums, including sculpture, printmaking, and book art. Notable artists displayed include Amy Sherald, Renee Stout, Alma Thomas, Elizabeth Catlett, and Alonzo Davis.
Edwards expressed her relief upon the exhibition’s opening at its new location, stating, “You know, like Bob Marley’s *Redemption Song*.” The exhibition had a tumultuous journey; it was initially set to premiere on March 21, 2020, before being abruptly cancelled in February 2020. Edwards received a phone call informing her that the show was terminated after the Trump administration deemed it a “DEI program and event,” which led to the withdrawal of previously secured funding.
The executive order issued by Trump on his first day in office effectively banned DEI initiatives aimed at providing equitable opportunities for marginalized communities. As a result, Before the Americas became one of the first exhibitions affected, alongside another show featuring LGBTQ+ artists.
When federal funding was cut, Edwards sought alternative financing. She successfully gathered support from approximately 50 to 60 donors who contributed to the exhibition’s continuation at the new venue. “It really brought us closer together as an art community,” she noted. “It shows that we really understand the importance of having art and culture in our society, and that art transcends politics and orders.”
Following the termination announcement, Donald Russell, director of Mason Exhibitions, promptly offered the Gillespie Gallery as a new venue. Russell, who had previously collaborated with Edwards, expressed his commitment to the exhibition, stating, “I was absolutely prepared to take it on.”
The artworks featured in the exhibition employ bold colors and dynamic lines to convey the rich history of African-descendant artists. Noteworthy pieces include Lois Mailou Jones’s 1996 silkscreen print depicting African dancers, and Elizabeth Catlett’s “Niña” from 1957, portraying a young girl. Edwards emphasized that “the history of African-descendant artists does not begin with slavery,” affirming the exhibition’s mission to celebrate a broader narrative.
“Because things are being erased, I think as an artist, and as a cultural worker, it is our duty to create right now and document this moment in history,” Edwards remarked.
The exhibition will remain at the Gillespie Gallery until November 15, 2023, before moving to the University of Maryland Global Campus, where it is set to open in February 2024 and run until May. Future locations for the exhibition have yet to be announced.
Edwards reflects on the current cultural landscape, asserting that the ongoing challenges faced by the arts sector only heighten the need for resilience and expression. She views Before the Americas as a symbol of “radical beauty,” highlighting the integral role of multicultural art in society. “There’s no way that I can say personally I would want to live in a place without art and without culture that includes everyone that is multicultural,” she concluded.
