During the month of July, Art on 7th presents an exhibition titled Embracing DEI As a Core Value. With Independence Day festivities creating scheduling changes, no special opening event is planned, but visitors may view the exhibition during regular gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Forest Cathedral. Hunter Jay, artist
In addition to artists represented by Art on 7th, gallery owners Julie and Phil Wilmot invited members of the Art League of Henderson County to submit entries for inclusion in the show. The exhibition will also feature artwork created by clients of the St. Gerard Center for Autism.
“I didn’t tell the artists what kind of message to share,” says Julie. “Rather, I wanted them to express their personal values and/or the significance that DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] holds for them. The point was never to present an angry exhibition—which for many of us was our initial reaction to witnessing the elimination of federal DEI initiatives and practices.”
Artwork making subtle statements will be among works displayed. Artist Hunter Jay’s expressionistic Forest Cathedral is an example. “Instead of painting a spring forest scene with strictly greens,” Jay says, “I included a lot of colors you wouldn’t expect, to represent diversity and inclusion.”
The gallery owners share the belief that DEI initiatives exist to guarantee that equally qualified individuals from marginalized communities are able to succeed despite barriers and discrimination that have historically hindered them, and they hope people will visit the exhibition with the intent to engage in thoughtful discussions about the artwork and the exhibition theme. “Whether or not DEI is a federally mandated practice, when individuals, organizations and communities embrace DEI as a core value it strengthens us as a whole through unity, acceptance and valuing the experiences and gifts of all individuals,” says Julie. “We don’t have to compromise our own faith and identity to be accepting of people different from ourselves. We all have personal gifts to be shared, and equity over equality, inclusion of differently abled individuals and appreciation of diversity all works together to maximize the value and positive impact of a community.”
Art on 7th is located at 330 7th Avenue East, in Hendersonville’s historic 7th Avenue district. To learn more, visit Arton7th.com.
