Lazarus Nazario

I had the honor of moderating an artist talk at Black Cherry Lane: Presence on October 4th. Even though a few of the artists couldn’t attend we still managed to fill two hours with our histories, stories and processes that weave through our work. ✨🗣️✨An engaged crowd, including David Thomas one of the descendants of Benjamin Prine, offered questions and conversation as the afternoon went on. I’m grateful to everyone that came out to hear us discuss the importance of reclaiming your heritage through art.
Thank you to everyone that attended and to the artists @quiltbev @yelenatylkina @gregshea_artificer @maryedwards for opening up about how you make the art that moves us. 🖤🍒🙏

1. The panel at the gallery.
2. Yours truly with @gregshea_artificer standing by our works in the show.
3. The artists from left to right, Yelena Tylkina, Mary Edwards, Greg Shea and Beverly Smith with David Thomas (third from the left.)
4. David Thomas and I in front of @timokamura ‘s portrait of him and his sister Ruth Ann holding the only photo of their Great Great Great Grandfather Benjamin Prine.

Black Cherry Lane: Presence is made possible by a DCLA Art Fund Grant from Staten Island Art’s, with public funding from the New York Department of Cultural Affairs.