Date Posted:
April 4, 2025
It was Rhinold Ponder, founder of Art Against Racism, who suggested exploring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of a “beloved community” for an annual exhibition of art. This idea puts forth the notion that a world in which we all share in the well-being of our communities, and work together toward the healing of the planet, will be good for everyone. I suggested that we should use this exhibition as a method to “manifest” that idea, and that was the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that has now spanned four consecutive years of exhibitions.
The Manifesting Beloved Community exhibition has attracted esteemed jurors who are accomplished in their fields and artists in all stages of development, from emerging to established and from regional as well as international locations. While the artwork that was chosen by the jurors has varied in its expression from depicting moments of human connection to awareness about environmental fragility to confrontations with racist ideology, I have found that the true manifestation of beloved community has occurred during each opening reception, where it has been a long-standing practice in our gallery to invite the artists to speak about their work. Each time, as we went around the room and heard from artists of many different backgrounds and ethnicities, their thoughts, experiences, visions, and nightmares, combined with the magnitude of their visual expressions, created a palpable energy of unity and solidarity that I have rarely experienced otherwise. It is our hope that by producing this digital retrospective catalog, we can build upon that experience and create a new vision for where we have been, and where we need to go.
Now, we are pleased to present the completed catalog featuring all the artwork that has been exhibited from 2022 through 2025 at West Windsor Arts. The catalog also features forwards by myself and Rhinold Ponder, and statements by the artists and jurors of each year.
I would like to thank our sponsor, Citizens Bank, who has supported this project for the last three years and increased their gift this year in order to help bring this catalog to life. I also thank Rhinold Ponder for his partnership on such an impactful project and for sharing his incredible insight, support, and talent with our community. My gratitude also goes to Kimberly Schimmel, West Windsor Arts’ Outreach Program Manager, to our catalog designer Sehwheat Manna, and to all the volunteers who have assisted us along the way.
Aylin Green
Executive Director
Established in 2010, West Windsor Arts is known for its exceptional education, innovative arts exhibitions and community service. West Windsor Arts cultivates the artist within us all, while inspiring a creative community that is engaged, inclusive and equitable.
