First Fridays – Alpha Massaquoi & Robert Pennix
Welcome to Our Black History Month Exhibition
Honoring 100 Years of Black History Month
This exhibition celebrates the depth, resilience, and brilliance of Black history through powerful and thought-provoking works by contemporary artists. Some pieces engage with difficult histories and lived experiences and may be emotionally impactful for some viewers.
We invite you to move through the gallery at your own pace and to take care of yourself as you engage with the work. Thank you for joining us in honoring this history and the stories it continues to hold.
In the Ann White Gallery:
Robert Pennix: History Not to Be Forgotten
Robert Pennix is a portrait artist whose work is rooted in deep observation and personal reflection. Drawing has been central to his artistic practice since childhood, where sketching became both a tool of solitude and a way to engage intimately with his subjects. Over the years, Pennix has honed his skills in drawing, oil painting, and photography, creating portraits known for their warmth, lifelike qualities, and expressive detail. History Not to Be Forgotten reflects his commitment to revealing poetic and universal truths about the human spirit, inviting viewers to connect with the depth, dignity, and character of those portrayed.
In the Up Front Gallery:
Alpha Massaquoi: Black Noise
The Up Front Gallery features Black Noise, a compelling body of charcoal drawings by Alpha Massaquoi. This work celebrates Black beauty and joy while acknowledging the struggles and systemic challenges that are too often foregrounded in societal narratives. Through expressive figures, dramatic lighting, and careful attention to detail, Massaquoi’s drawings carve a lasting impression in the viewer’s mind, highlighting the resilience, vibrancy, and humanity of his subjects.
✨ Meet the artists, explore portraiture and charcoal drawing, and celebrate Black History Month together at February First Friday on February 6th from 5–8 PM.
This Month:
The Up Front Gallery & The Ann White Academy Gallery
Alpha Massaquoi: Black Noise
Robert Pennix: History Not to Be Forgotten
Sponsored By:
