Call to Black Artists: City of St. Catharines to Host Black History Month Exhibition

The City of St. Catharines in partnership with Future Black Female, Black Owned 905, the St. Catharines Downtown Association, the St. Catharines Public Library and the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is proud to invite Black artists from across the Niagara region to participate in a special Black History Month exhibition titled Reclaiming Narratives: A Black Resistance. The exhibition will celebrate the resilience, resistance, and cultural pride of Black communities through authentic storytelling and artistic expression.

Running from Feb. 3 to April 1, 2025, the exhibition will be hosted at three key locations: St. Catharines City Hall (50 Church St.), the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (250 St. Paul St.), and the St. Catharines Public Library, Central Branch (54 Church St.). These venues provide an opportunity to showcase and amplify the voices of Black artists, ensuring their stories are shared and celebrated.

“This exhibition creates space for Black artists to reclaim narratives and celebrate Black excellence in our community,” said Olivia Hope, Culture Coordinator for the City of St. Catharines. “We are thrilled to see the creative talents of local artists shine while highlighting important themes of resilience and resistance.”

Artists may submit up to three original works for consideration, accompanied by an artist statement. Submissions can be completed online through the City’s Call to Artists webpage. Full submission guidelines and the application form are available at stcatharines.ca/CallstoArtists.

The theme for the exhibition, calls on Black artists to share works that authentically express their lived experiences while celebrating resilience and cultural pride. The exhibition is open to emerging, student, and established Black artists residing in the Niagara region

“When we reflect on the importance and relevance of black history month to all communities across Canada, we see why we need diverse representations of the histories and stories of Black people,” said Dr. Tapo Chimbganda, founder and executive director of Future Black Female. “What better way than through art, a medium that appeals to all of us.”

The deadline to apply is Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. The exhibition will launch with a reception on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. There are no costs to submit an entry. Artists selected to participate will receive a fee of $206, in accordance with the 2025 Canadian Artists' Representation / Le Front des artistes Canadiens (CARFAC) fee schedule.

This exhibition not only provides a platform for Black artists to share their unique perspectives but also offers the opportunity for selected artworks to be considered for inclusion in the City of St. Catharines’ Civic Art Collection. Through initiatives such as this, the City reaffirms its ongoing commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.

The City also encourages residents to explore additional programming and events celebrating Black History Month by visiting the Downtown Association’s webpage at mydowntown.ca/bhm. The City will also announce more programming in the coming weeks leading up to February.