Black History Month celebrated with exhibit at Milton’s FirstOntario Arts Centre
Published January 25, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Black History Month will be celebrated at Milton’s FirstOntario Arts Centre with an exhibit showcasing the work of local artists.
Featured will be the works of Désiré Betty, Omar Hopkinson, and the Association of Nigerian Community in Milton (ANCim).
Désiré Betty is an Ontario-based, multi-disciplinary artist who has long explored the spiritual serenity that manifests itself through her artistic expression she calls ‘Perpetual Freedom Art.’
Her compositions are mainly focused on figurative art with complementary abstract pieces. She explores the use of various mediums, such as acrylic ink, aerosol, watercolour, textile and mixed media.
Omar “Oms” Hopkinson was inspired to create and share his passion for art at a young age. As he’s matured, his art has become the medium in which he inspires, draws the best out of his subjects and forms community.
Hopkinson reimagines what art means today, painting on all surfaces from canvases, to walls and various structures with a clear understanding of colour and its ability to evoke emotion. He was also the lead artist for a mural display in the Spice O’ Life parkette at the corner Charles and Main streets.
The Association of Nigerian Community in Milton is involved in various community activities for children and inspires young minds to express their talents through the arts.
In 2021 and 2022, the Heritage and Social Connection Committee of ANCiM organized virtual mentoring classes and, through this volunteer process, young artists emerged.
The young artists’ exhibitions for Black History Month 2023 aim to preserve and promote cultural heritage based on the theme for the 2021 Proudly Nigerian and 2022 Celebrating Excellence Independence Day celebration.
The Black History Month Art Exhibition will run Feb. 1 to March 4.