More Than an Exhibition: Black Canvas Brings Black History to life at TRU
Performers take the stage during The Black Canva Exhibition held in recognition of Black History Month at TRU – Photo credits Tadiwanashe Machana
Art, music and community came together on campus during Black Canvas, an art exhibition held in recognition of Black History Month at Thompson Rivers University. The event created space for students, artists and community members to engage with Black history, culture and creative expression through visual art and live performances.
Students and community members attend the Black Canvas art exhibition, viewing artwork and engaging in conversations – Photo credits Tadiwanashe Machana
The exhibition featured a curated collection of contemporary artwork that focused on Black identity, lived experiences and cultural storytelling. Everyone who was present moved through the gallery space, stopping to reflect on the artwork while interacting with artists and fellow students. Live performances held during the event added energy to the evening and encouraged audience engagement. There was food that was served as well to make everyone feel more comfortable and enjoy the experience. ” This felt like home, especially since everyone is welcoming and having fun, while being able to learn about different cultures is amazing,” stated by one of the students, Williane Nikobamye.
Black Canvas was organized by the African Caribbean Student Association (ACSA) alongside several campus and community organizations. The exhibition was curated by Hardley Williams and supported by the Caribbean Diaspora Society of Kamloops, the Unique Get Together Society, and TRU’s Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, with additional support from the Kamloops Art Gallery and TRU Visual Arts.
This is the Black Canva art exhibition, which outlines the event’s focus on Black History and Culture – Photo credits Tadiwanashe Machana
Events like Black Canvas play an important role in bringing students and the wider community together on campus and informing them. By highlighting Black history and culture, this event created space for learning, appreciation and unity while entertaining art and performance. For many students, events like this provide opportunities to connect with different perspectives outside of the classroom and engage more deeply with campus life and make new friends and connections in the process.
As part of Black History Month, Black Canvas emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating Black voices and experiences. Through collaboration between student groups, artists and university partners, the event demonstrated how campus programming can foster inclusion, reflection and community connection at Thompson Rivers University. This event helped connect students from different backgrounds and ensure a good time was had.
