The exhibition, Between Us, is curated by Asa Featherstone, IV, and will open with a reception on Thursday, January 30, from 5 to 8 PM. An Artist Talk with Featherstone and participating artist Elijah Barnes will begin at 6 PM.
Between Us is a group exhibition exploring the nuance within communities of color across the Midwest. The group show brings together six artists from across the region to present a collection of original photos, essays, and interviews that invite the viewer to embrace the complexity of the Midwest’s diverse tapestry that reflect on themes of shared legacy and overlooked stories. The featured artists are Barnes, Featherstone, Da’Shaunae Marisa, Njaimeh Njie, Andrea Sabugo, and Yasmin Yassin.
These artists, hailing from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago, shine a spotlight on BIPOC communities that have long been marginalized or overlooked, capturing the essence of its people, landscapes, and cultures with honesty and reverence. New work by Featherstone will feature stories and photos from the Champaign-Urbana community.
Artist-in-Residence
McKinley Foundation, in partnership with UIUC Center for Advanced Study, is proud to welcome Asa Featherstone, IV, to Artists’ Alley January 26-31, 2025. Read more.
The exhibition serves as a welcome mat, extending an opportunity to re-discover and re-connect with communities—both familiar and unknown. It hints at themes of connection, shared memory and the invisible bonds that tie people and places together.
Media Coverage:
Smile Politely (2/13/2025): Asa Featherstone brings stories to life at McKinley’s Artists’ Alley
Smile Politely (1/23/2025): McKinley exhibit explores the depths of our hidden heartland
The exhibition runs through March 16, 2025. Artists’ Alley, located in the McKinley Foundation, is open daily, 9 AM to 8 PM.