By Marion Filler
A sold-out crowd packed a Morristown reception Saturday for Art in the Atrium’s virtual exhibition, Into the Light.
It was timed to open on the first national Juneteenth holiday. But it was not intended as a celebration.
“We are commemorating – not celebrating – the memory for ATA in a special way,” said Lauren Craig, executive director of the nonprofit, at the gathering outside The Artist Baker café.
President Biden signed a law last week making Juneteenth a federal holiday, to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.
A combination of the words June and Nineteen, Juneteenth refers to June 19, 1865, the day Union General Gordon Granger went to Galveston, Texas, to tell slaves the Civil War was over and they were free.
But slavery is not only a Southern story.
“Lewis Morris was the largest slave owner in the state of New Jersey,” said Craig. “I didn’t learn that until Juneteenth of this year, as a person who grew up here.”
“It really made me feel a little angry that this history is hidden from us. But I’m glad to know it now because now I want to say it every time I can, ” she said.
“I want people to know that Black Morristownians have been here forever and not that we’re just not supposed to be here. We belong here and that’s why this day is so important.”
Lauren Craig of Art in the Atrium Inc. addresses reception for virtual exhibition, ‘Into the Light,’ Juneteenth 2021. Video by Marion Filler for MorristownGreen.com:
Craig’s family has celebrated Kwanza. But Juneteenth usually meant going to events outside of Morristown, and Craig’s early recollections of the day were insignificant.
Things have changed.
Would widespread recognition of Juneteenth have happened without the police murder of George Floyd in Minnesota?
“I kind of doubt it,” said Craig. “But I love the fact that now we are shining a light on it, particularly in Morristown and Morris County. Black history is American history.”
‘THROUGH HELL AND BACK’
Morris County Commissioner John Krickus noted this was the first official Juneteenth in Morris County and New Jersey. The county commissioners are co-sponsoring the Into the Light exhibit.
Morris Commissioner John Krickus addresses Juneteenth 2021 art opening in Morristown. Video by Marion Filler for MorristownGreen.com:
Guests on The Artist Baker’s small outdoor patio sipped tea and nibbled sandwiches, courtesy of owner Andrea Lekberg, who has donated her services to numerous ATA events.
The exhibition is named for an artwork created by Rosalind Nzinga Nichol, whose talk was a highlight of the afternoon.
“It’s a take on the Statue of Liberty,” Nichols said, describing Into the Light as primarily an acrylic painting, with a collage of handmade paper and embedded lace layered on top.
Lady Liberty has the face of actress/comedian Maya Rudolph; she is swathed in non-traditional clothing as she holds her torch aloft.
Another work by Nichol stole the show. Still Here, a battered American flag, clearly was personal to the artist.
“My work is pretty spiritual,” she said, explaining how the idea to paint the flag came to her at 5:30 a.m. on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021.
“At first I thought, I don’t want to paint a flag,” she said. “But after the insurrection at the Capitol, I thought this is what it was all about. Who knew the day would turn out like it did?”
The flag has been distressed, sliced, and spattered. “It looks like it’s been through hell and back. But the whole point was that it’s symbolic of the fact that we are still here,” Nichol said.
‘Still Here’ : Artist Rosalind Nzinga Nichol discusses her work at opening of virtual ‘Into the Light’ exhibit, Juneteenth 2021. Video by Marion Filler for MorristownGreen.com:
This is the 29th year of Art in the Atrium. Pre-COVID, it staged shows in the Atrium Gallery of the Morris County administration building in Morristown. Krickus anticipates live exhibits will resume there next year.
Into the Light showcases the work of 37 artists and can be seen online through Oct. 22, 2021. Purchases will be delivered to buyers.
A sister show at the Morris Museum called The Social Fabric: Black Artistry in Fabric Arts, is an homage to the late Viki Craig, co-founder of ATA. That exhibit runs through Oct. 24, and can be seen in person at the Museum in Morris Township from 11 am-5 pm, Wednesdays through Sundays.
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'Into the Light': A Morristown opening, on an historic Juneteenth - Morristown Green
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