Memorial Art Gallery’s 23rd annual Black History Month celebration has one purpose: to celebrate culture, said Annie Dukes, guest program coordinator at Memorial Art Gallery.
And it is believed that the best way to achieve this is through art.
“This allows them to not only hear what we’re going through and what we’re going through, but to see it and visualize it, so they can empathize and say, ‘Oh, now.’ “I get it; I get it,” Dukes said.
This gives painters, dancers, and drummers like African drummer/dancer Mayukwa Kashiwa the opportunity to further that understanding in the best way they know how.
“I’m just here to share my culture and my love with everyone… Drumming for me just brings people from all walks of life,” Kashiwa said.
Kashiwa, who came to Rochester from Zambia, is bringing part of his home to his new community.
“In Africa…this is what we do every night,” Kashiwa said. “We will unite. Just like people from different tribes come together and there are 73 tribes in our country and I speak only seven of them, we will unite. , share culture.”
They also share art that expresses their culture.
“My goal in this country is just to bring everyone together, because when we talk about Black History Month, it’s all about being interactive and bringing people from all walks of life, and that’s exactly what it is for me. It’s the meaning of playing the drums,” Kashiwa said.
“Despite the constraints, trials and tribulations, we persevere, grow and continue to excel,” Dukes said.