Art, Community, and Campus Memorialization

A panel discussion with Adebunmi Gbadebo, Endia Beal, Burt Pinnock and Corey D. B. Walker, Moderated by Rudy Shepherd

September 24, 2024 at 5:30pm in Scales 102
Reception and exhibition viewing at 6:30pm in Hanes Gallery

Organized by Hanes Gallery, University Art Collections, and the Art Department with support from the Wake the Arts Center.

This event brings together artists, architects, and scholars to offer perspectives on the intersection of creativity, collective memory, and institutional spaces.  It is inspired by the acquisition of Adebunmi Gbadebo’s “Untitled 3, Dolly, 2023,” selected by the student-led Reece Art Acquisition Committee for the University Art Collection and on display in Hanes Gallery in Escape Velocities: New Acquisitions to the Reece Collection of Student-Acquired Contemporary Art.

Gbadebo will share insights on how contemporary art can challenge and reframe historical narratives in relation to her practice as a multi-disciplinary artist who centers the people and stories of the African diaspora in her work. Endia Beal, an artist, curator, and educator known for her examination of race, gender, and community through photography, will discuss the power of visual storytelling in community engagement. Burt Pinnock, an accomplished architect and designer with Baskervill with a focus on culturally significant design, will offer his expertise on how physical spaces can honor and reflect diverse histories. Corey D. B. Walker, a distinguished scholar of African American studies, will provide valuable context on the historical and societal implications of campus memorialization.

Moderated by Art Department Professor Rudy Shepherd, this panel will explore how art and architecture can serve as catalysts for meaningful dialogue and social change within academic environments: What is the role of creative expression in shaping collective memory? How do we create inclusive representation in public spaces? What are the challenges and opportunities presented by efforts to reconcile institutional histories with contemporary values?

Join us for an evening of insightful discussion, challenging ideas, and inspiring visions for a more inclusive and reflective campus environment.