Dean of Arts Office:
PAS building, room 2401
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 48246
Arts Undergraduate Office:
PAS building, room 2439
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 45870
Arts faculty and staff resources
Arts computing support for students, faculty, and staff
For centuries Black people all over the world have used visual art, literature, performance, theatre, music and other means of expression to imagine and advocate for freedom in their public and private lives. Started by Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae in 2017, Black And Free is an artistic and academic experience that deepens, enlivens and expresses themes of blackness and freedom projecting expansive visions of what that could be for engaged, curious and casual members of the public.
“I believe in artists’ ability to connect, express, and inspire” says Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae “and I believe that if artists, educators and other people are engaging with the topic of blackness and freedom, then good will come of it for all society.”
The exhibition at Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum will feature new commissions by artists Emkay Adjei-Manu, Lillian Allen, Sydné Barnes-Wright, A. Decker, Damola Disu, Aljumaine Gayle and Janine Ilya. Each artist’s work tells a unique story that explores the multifaceted experiences of Blackness and freedom through historic and contemporary lenses.
Come experience the work and join us for conversations with the artists on March 25 & 26 from 12pm-3pm and a presentation by guest speaker Dr. Andrea A. Davis on March 25.
In addition, closed to the public, the Symposium takes place concurrently after hours at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum. During that time, a small group of Black Studies scholars – Dr. Shaunasea Brown, Dr. Ronald Cummings, Dr. Yasmine Espert, Dr. Ferguson, Dr. Nataleah Hunter-Young, Dr. Johonna McCants-Turner and Dr. Ola Mohammed – have been invited to have a series of discussions to collectively reflect on blackness and freedom as expressed in the Art Exhibition and within their own areas of expertise.
Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae is the Principal Investigator of Black and Free research-creation project that brings together artists, academics, students and the following organizations: Citizen Brand; Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum; NOR: The design commons for Canada; Studio Otherness
Dean of Arts Office:
PAS building, room 2401
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 48246
Arts Undergraduate Office:
PAS building, room 2439
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 45870
Arts faculty and staff resources
Arts computing support for students, faculty, and staff
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.