An Ode to Nikki

MARCH 1 – APRIL 6, 2024

Curated by Kren the Curator

This exhibition is in collaboration with Dogwood Arts and the Big Ears Festival.

“The exhibition title was inspired by my late grandfather, Floyd Whiteside, a retired pastor from Muscle Shoals, Alabama who resided in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He would often use the phrase in his sermons when the spirit was moving or when he wanted to make sure the congregation was keeping up. While preparing for the exhibition and thinking of home, his words kept ringing in my ear. “Y’all Don’t Hear Me” is a statement by someone who feels disregarded, and to me, that resonates with the Black Appalachian community. You don’t hear us because you’re not listening; you’re not listening because you don’t know we exist. I want to amplify our narrative and remind people that there are quality artists creating in the mountains.

Although the base of the project is visual arts, music and language are highly recognized components of the Appalachia. Poetry by Nikki Giovanni is included throughout the collection, along with playlists for each era. Together, each of these creative components pushes the exposure of Black artists and adds to the ambient experience for the public to better understand our culture.”

– Kreneshia Whiteside-McGee

---

---

---

---