“We Are Creating Our Own History!”

Let’s Make Some Art Together!

NIAD artist and curator Dorian Reid will convene voices from NIAD’s community around themes of water, animals, and music to create a collaborative design for cut-metal panel work across NIAD’s building, fence and courtyard gate.

Dorian explains:

“23rd Street can be overpowering with stress, or noise. I think about the sound of water. The sound of water is like always saying hello, never goodbye - the waves, and the water like a mirror. If we had something new like a gate or a new public space for art, it could be some kind of song, some kind of music, to include some kind of sound alongside the cars - to keep the hostility down and lift up more music!

Materials

We are using a limited palette and materials to simulate the metal fabrication process. Feel free to use the provided paint, markers and paper however you would like

Submit Your Design

Please include your name, phone number and email address on the back of your artwork if you would like to be considered for inclusion in the metal facade project.

Show Off Your Artwork

You can tape your finished artwork up on  Dorian's “musical staff” design, which will serve as the base layer of the facade.

More About Dorian’s Vision for the NIAD Facade:

What do you mean by “We Are Creating Our Own Histories”?

Going back, people could bring up their own histories, writing their own history of life, and if they have dogs, they can tell the history through dogs, if they have cats, they can tell the story through cats - and if there's an image like the Black Panthers, they can tell the story through the Black Panthers. 

I used to do regular artwork for regular people and I decided it was enough. Then I started thinking about who gets left behind, the animals that get left behind. The Black Panther logo, Power to the People, inspires me because it is a hand down from an old generation to a new generation. It brings me into the power of my history. I have been using the power elsewhere.

I’m letting it out now, I’m putting the word out now. It’s time to be heard. I’m trying to get known, trying to feel like I belong. I’m trying to find a way to belong, where do I fit in? What footsteps am I going into? It's challenging - every time it's something new; building up these histories through new creatures like the water creatures, they're new and they let the histories live anew. 

The importance of Music 

It brings me back to the memory of the songs I used to know, through me. Everything I am doing is through me. Each song brings me good memories and it makes me feel good. I’m trying not to have the music feel lost in my world. Without the music I would be losing the memory and the feeling.

The Flow of Water

When I am on vacation and getting away from the stress I watch the water, the waves going in and out, in and out. I think about the waves on the beach, it makes me feel calm. When I’m feeling hostility I think of the water and the calmness, I’m always finding something in the flow. 

Animals!

We don’t hardly celebrate animals enough, it’s time to start thinking about the animals that get left out. Now is the time to start working on appreciation. I

started making baby kittens who protest “we want clean water now!”, “we want a home now!”. Cats don’t have people to speak for them so I gave them a sign!

EVENT ACCESSIBILITY

There are no stairs to enter the NIAD building. The building is one level and does not have automatic doors. The sidewalk has curb cut-outs and is wide enough for a wheelchair. Our restrooms are accessible to people using mobility devices. We have a gender neutral restroom and an adult changing station. Mask-wearing is strongly encouraged. Public transportation and affordable on-demand ride services are available.

Contact gallery@niadart.org with access needs and requests.