Celebration Of ‘Black Girlhood’ Coming To Newark

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Express Newark. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Express Newark, a center for socially engaged art and design that brings together the community, the City of Newark, and, the Rutgers-Newark campus, hosts "Black Girl Takeover," a day-long celebration of Black girlhood, on Sunday, July 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free and open to the public, the festival offers a day full of workshops and activities led by Black women, girls, and genderqueer artists who are involved in the landmark exhibition, "Picturing Black Girlhood: Moments of Possibility," the largest exhibition on Black girls in the world, on view at Express Newark through August 15. Artists whose work is featured in the exhibition will be participating in the festival, including Tawny Chatmon, Rashida Bumbray, Nzingah Oyo, Kim Hill, Adrienne Wheeler.

Covering all three floors of Express Newark, Black Girl Takeover will celebrate beauty, care, freedom, play, and joy, while encouraging Black girls and participants to engage in image- making and artistic and wellness practices that are central to Black girlhood.

A wide range of workshops and experiences range from photography, hair-braiding, social dances, and self-care workshops to conversations surrounding mental health, redefining beauty standards, and the visibility of Black girls. The event is led by Black girls and women, and is organized in part by Picturing Black Girlhood photographers and curators Scheherazade Tillet and Zoraida Lopez-Diago and assistant curator Alliyah Allen. All are welcome to attend.

Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments are included. All events are free.

Registration for the free events can be made here. For more information, visit ExpressNewark.org.

Workshops and Topics

• Studio and Portrait Photography
• Protest Photography
• Self-Portraits
• Filmmaking
• Beauty, Hair Braiding, and Care
• Health, Nutrition, and Exercise
• Yoga and Mindfulness
• Social Dances and Movement
• Social Media and Art-making in Digital Spaces

Sunday, July 10

9:00 am - 10:00am - Morning Check-in & Opening Remarks

9:00am - Breakfast

10:00am - 11:15am - Beauty Workshops, Play/Wellness Workshops

11:30am - 12:45pm - Beauty Workshops, Play/Wellness Workshops

12:00pm - Boxed Lunch

1:00pm - 2:00pm - Lunchtime Artist Panel

2:00pm - Snack Bar

2:30pm - 3:45pm - Dance and Movement Workshops, Photography Workshops

4:00pm - 5:15pm - Dance and Movement Workshops, Photography Workshops

5:30pm - 5:45pm - Closing Event

About Picturing Black Girlhood: Moments of Possibility

Picturing Black Girlhood explores the concept of Black Girlhood through the works of over 85 black women, girls, and genderqueer artists, from ages 8 to 94, working in photography and film. Bringing together iconic image-makers, emerging artists, and young photographers, Picturing Black Girlhood restages intimate Black girl coming-of-age narratives made through reifying the lens of Black women and genderqueer artists and the real-time experiences and perspectives of Black girls themselves.

About Express Newark

Express Newark is a center for socially engaged art and design that brings together the community, the campus, and the City of Newark. Supported by Rutgers University—Newark, it is conceived as a “third space” for students, artists, and activists to make art that matters, addresses our city’s most prevailing social justice issues, and advocates for systemic change.

Visiting Express Newark

Parking: The Hahne & Co. parking garage, located on the basement level and entered on New Street, provides limited parking for an hourly fee. Other parking options include metered street parking or private garages or lots on Washington Street and Halsey Street.

Public Transportation: There is a NJ Transit bus stop at Broad and New Streets. Newark Penn Station is less than 1 mile away for access to NJ Transit, PATH, and Amtrak trains. Broad Street Station is 1/2 mile away for access to NJ Transit trains. Via Newark Light Rail, both Military Park and Washington Street Stations are close by.

Health and Safety Precautions: All indoor events require attendees to show proof of full vaccination or a COVID-19 negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to the event. Face coverings are no longer required at events. No restrictions are placed on outdoor events.

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