With the idea that people should focus on the love and joy around them instead of pain, Guest Curator Clayton Singleton established the exhibit Light From All Sides at the Downing-Gross Arts Center in Newport News.
The nine-piece exhibit, created by nine artists, is on display until March 6 in the Newport News Community Gallery.
Singleton, an accomplished artist and Norfolk teacher, said he chose the artists and their work because he feels it embodies the joy around people instead of the pain.
“Our culture is obsessed with pain. We need to focus on love,” he said. “We need to step out of the darkness and step to feel the light. To stand in the light,” Singleton said passionately.
Singleton started working on the exhibit in 2019, prior to the start of the pandemic. He said that is being displayed now is a matter of circumstance.
While Singleton admires all the artists, certain ones stand out including ChaVonne Whisonant, of Hampton, who is a multi-talented artist. In addition to her visual arts work, she also sings. She is known for her murals and an array of other works.
Ray Johnson of Norfolk focuses on individuality from the perspective of a black male, Singleton said.
New York native Parrish Majestic, who currently lives in Norfolk, works in multiple media. Singleton said Majestic is able to capture the Earth’s beauty, especially around Hampton Roads.
“You would think he grew up here,” he added.
The Downing-Gross Arts Center is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. http://downinggross.org or (757) 247-8950
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