Graphic designed by Eric Collins.

Jan/Feb 2025 Opening Reception for It’s About the Hustle

In recognition of Black History Month 2025, Artspace presents an exhibition, It’s About the Hustle, juried by Franchell Mack Brown. The show will be on view January 24 - February 22, 2025. The opening reception, scheduled for Friday, January 24, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m., features artwork by artists selected by the juror to represent the theme of black American labor. Juror’s talk by Franchell Mack Brown and awards presentation is at 7:00 p.m.

About the juror:

Franchell Mack Brown (born 1962 in Washington, D.C.) is a Richmond, VA based artist employing an amalgam of materials in her practice. From the pliancy of crocheted ribbon to industrial cordiing and the solidity of welding, she juxtaposes soft and hard, exploring the dualities of being. franmackart.com

Running simultaneously with It’s About the Hustle, The Black History Museum and Culture Center of Virginia will show a curated selection paintings and artifacts in the Elisabeth Flynn Chapman Gallery that also represent the theme of Labor. African Americans have unequivocally been a major force in the sustaining the economy of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation. Africans were brought here for their knowledge and to serve as a workforce. Over time, African Americans have influenced progress and been a vital force in the workplace, despite discrimination, poor working conditions and unequal compensation.

The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia has a long and committed history of preserving the stories and amplifying the voices of the Black community in Virginia and beyond. This exhibition, curated from the BHMVA’s archives, will serve as a survey of the history of labor in Virginia.

Opening Reception: Friday, January 24, 6-8pm, Juror’s Talk and Awards at 7:00pm
Exhibition Dates: January 24 - February 22, 2025

Exhibition webpage: It’s About the Hustle