First Friday and February in the Bear Gallery

BAAM – Black Alaskan Art Matters is an initiative to uplift, highlight, and support Black creatives statewide. In partnership with Perseverance Theatre and the initial set of curators - Amble Rosa, MoHogani Magnetek, and Alyssa Quintyne, they sought to create a space specifically for Black creatives that both supported them in White predominant spaces and guided how to showcase and highlight Black creatives in equitable ways. BAAM debuted in 2020 and again in 2021, both virtually showcasing works, discussions, storytelling, music videos, and curation talks with over 20 Black creatives across Alaska. In 2023, BAAM held the first-ever Tri-City Retrospective in the state, finally showcasing the work of 10 local creatives in Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage. To date, this initiative has worked with over 30 Black creatives statewide, with various mediums, stages, backgrounds, and goals. We strive to uphold that space with and for Black creatives and cultivate a space of honor and understanding in the Black community through art, joy, and community.

Inspired in honor of love and Black History Month, Perseverance Theatre and BAAM chose this theme that furthers their mission of highlighting and uplifting Black Joy and Excellence: Loved. “It’s an ongoing commitment to us, to ourselves, each other, the community, the world – in making the intangible, tangible”, says Quintyne. Artists to be featured in this year’s exhibition include Shevonda Kala, JaVeon Brigham, Ibn Bailey, Trina Lynch - Jackson, Sean Enfield, Antavia Hamilton, Brie McZeal, Lance Mitchell, Marquita Toney, Jameka Lache-Horton, Tamara Zenobia Coleman, and Dontae Robertson. This year’s exhibit will feature a range of art styles, including videography, performance art, literary works, and more.  Both in-person and virtually, BAAM continues to celebrate and uplift Black Alaskan art and to take vital steps toward equalizing representation in the arts.

For more information on the Black Alaskan Arts Matters initiative, go to fairbanksarts.org or contact baamcurator@perseverancetheatre.org. If you are curious about work in previous exhibits, visit https://www.ptalaska.org/baam-visionary/ to learn more. 

Check them out on social media at @BAAMatters and @perserverancetheater