Artists using art to teach about Black history
Many people celebrate Black History Month in different ways, but two artists in Omaha, Nebraska, are expressing their appreciation for Black History Month through their artwork.
Rowena Cage and Celeste Butler are the masterminds behind several pieces of art at the Nebraska Furniture Mart, which is a store selling furniture, appliances and more.
Cage said that they have always had a passion for drawing and painting since they were a child.
鈥淚've been an artist professionally for about 15 years, but art has always been in my heart,鈥� Cage said.
However, Cage said what makes their art different is the story it tells about the history of being Black in America.
鈥淚'm very imaginative and a storyteller, so I'm imagining that I'm back in the 19th century, and I'm Van Gogh's understudy, and we have a secret room,鈥� Cage said. 鈥淚 don't know if you know how Black women were portrayed back in the 19th century, but in positions of servitude and very sexualized, and so they're coming into this secret room, and I am Van Gogh student, and I paint these Black women.鈥�
Cage said that Black history is usually something of a dark past, and good is often overlooked, prompting her to create an image they called Priscilla.
Priscilla is a woman whose life is one of joy and sorrow. The picture depicts a woman with a yellow hat and jacket on. Priscilla came from a good household and later went to study journalism at the top school for colored people.
鈥淪ometimes even I, you would think back in the 19th century, you know, it's still like slavery. And I wanted to portray, you know, that brightness and that light that comes from, you know, Black women,鈥� Cage said.
Butler is another artist who specializes in quilting. She said Black history surrounds us more than we know, which is why she continues to build the narrative.
鈥淚f we start to subtract everything that Black culture has contributed to society at large and the world at large, how bland it would be and how in the negative we would be,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淓verything from streetlights to earning boards to just electronics, how phones and computers work, everything that we have the privilege to even touch and have accessible at our fingertips today.鈥�
Sister station KETV spoke with Andrew Shesky at Nebraska Furniture Mart about what it means for them to be hosting the "Celebrate of Black Culture" exhibit.
鈥淵ou can get a chance to meet with these super-talented artists. And every piece of artwork has an incredible story behind it. So, it's not only beautiful but also inspirational,鈥� Shesky said.
The Celebrate of Black Culture exhibit will be up all month long at the Nebraska Furniture Mart from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
