Nacogdoches, Texas (KTRE) – With Black History Month just around the corner, millions across the country will reflect on the rich history of the African American community. Lufkin High School student Laprincia MacLeod is one of those people doing just that.
“Black history means a lot to me,” MacLeod said. “The struggles black people have gone through are more meaningful. That’s what comes to mind the most. And it’s a way of celebrating our culture.”
She is one of a number of local African American artists to showcase their work at Angelina College’s Angelina Center for the Arts as part of the Black History Month Celebration Art Exhibit.
N’helis Phipps paints and focuses his art on the African-American community and what influences his life.
“It shows me and my family’s ups and downs and struggles in everyday life and so on,” Phipps said. “So it’s something people can relate to.”
Tymera Garrett showcases masks made out of papier-mâché. She drew inspiration from the past through the lives and deaths of slaves.
“I focused on slavery and how many people escaped but were never truly free,” Garrett said.
This exhibition goes beyond paintings and sculptures. At her opening reception on January 24, Zariyah Albro read part of her poem. The art exhibition showcases all the ways the local African-American community embraces art to express themselves.
“It really comes back,” Albro said. “It’s interesting because it’s really cool how the arts have developed in the African-American community. From jazz and blues to rap and soul music.”
The exhibition is free and open until February 23rd.
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