Over a span of two and a half years, Jamaal Eversley worked with his dearest artist friends to create something bold, beautiful, and ultimately hopeful despite enduring a constant pandemic and shattering division this country hasn’t seen in over 150 years. This has been a very challenging time but with the friends he has made, it has been a journey of a lifetime.  

This exhibition is a part of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Curatorial Program. As a community arts education space, the New Art Center believes that art creates change. With a 44+ year history of building community through art, we recognize it is crucial to use our platform to fight systemic racism and social injustices.

The BIPOC Curatorial Program enables curators who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color to develop and share exhibitions that spark dialogue, share personal vision, and personal experiences through curation. We hope this opportunity will create much needed dialogue to counter systemic racism.

A Statement from the Curator

A Statement from the Curator

“Real F.R.I.E.N.D.S shows viewers that a successful collaborative process, engaged by a diverse and committed set of artists, strengthens communal bonds and can generate dynamic, out-of-the-box creations. This exhibition consists of the collaborative pieces made between my friends and I. It contains a wonderfully wide-range of media – painting, textile art, mixed media, ekphrastic poetry and video. As you will see, the “Nerd” imagery is often re-appropriated and transformed for different pieces in different mediums. I have entered a transitional period in my life, where I have come to realize that I can not achieve the artistic excellence I have set without the mutual support and beneficial collaboration of others that I differ from, love and respect. I’ve learned that collaboration is key and that we can not be our best selves without working with others. 

My greatest hope having Real F.R.I.E.N.D.S at New Art Corridor, is to allow it to continue to evolve and inspire others. I harken back to a speech delivered by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr on the eve of his assassination. His words in Memphis in 1968 continue to resonate today: “Now what does all of this mean in this great period of history? It means that we’ve got to stay together.” Dr. King’s exhortation animates the work in this exhibition and calls on us all as we move forward in these turbulent times.

I look forward to calling you my Friend.”

– Jamaal Eversley, curator