Opening Celebration - my Presence is Present: interpretations of afrosurrealism from the American South

Join us as we celebrate our new exhibition, my Presence is Present: interpretations of afrosurrealism from the American South, curated by Carla Aaron-Lopez. Featuring 21 emerging and established artists in and around the Carolinas, the exhibition explores surrealism and its presence within African American experiences.

The artists purposefully create works in response to their inherent memories and identities of growing up and living in the American South.

Carla Aaron-Lopez is a photographer, print maker, and collagist. Ever defying expectation, Aaron-Lopez has also expanded her practice to include murals and painting. She is a deeply committed collaborator whose own work is frequently created with fellow artists at various stages of their career. Aaron-Lopez has pioneered platforms for underground artists and built spaces that encourage experimentation in both Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Aaron-Lopez received her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from North Carolina Central University and her Master of Fine Art in Photography and Master of Printmaking from Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. In addition to creating artwork, she is a beloved arts educator within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Aaron-Lopez considers herself a "professional student of life" who believes we all have the ability to learn and create anything. She is also a member of Black arts collective and event space BLKMRKTCLT.