Dianne Smith, Nyugen E. Smith, and Carl Joe Williams

Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art & Design | April 21 – May 6, 2022

In our inaugural Artist-In-Residence Alumni exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art & Design (ICA at MECA&D), we invited three previous residents; Dianne Smith (Spring: April-May 2022); Nyugen E. Smith (Spring: May-June 2020) and Carl Joe Williams (Summer: June-July 2021) to continue their exploration of material, media, and community which emerged throughout their residencies. This exhibition offered a perspective into the lives, histories and experience of Black/Brown culture and communities that are historically siloed, suppressed, and traditionally removed from the canon of art history. 

These artists are examining, deconstructing, and re-inventing new ways of making in order to accurately reflect global communities. It is our hope that our Black/Brown audiences continue to see themselves; their community and stories as valid, honored and valued. Exemplified by the works of Dianne, Nyugen and Carl is our belief that art, along with active community engagement is imperative to manifest change.

Visions for our Future; Echoes of our Past (ICA gallery, Portland, ME, March 26th-May 6th 2022). Co-curated by Indigo Arts Alliance Deputy Director, Jordia Benjamin and our Studio and Program Coordinator, Ashley Page, Dianne Smith, Nyugen E. Smith, and Carl Joe Williams.

Dianne Smith, Black is Beautiful is a visual conversation around the existence and visibility of Blackness in place, space, and time.