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Date: 2/22/2022
CHICOPEE – In celebration of Black History Month, La Diáspora is hosting a reception for their Black Art Exhibit on Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.
Co-Owner of La Diáspora and Chicopee Cultural Council member Johnny Miranda remains a proactive voice in the arts, formerly running the art gallery oOps! An art experience in Chicopee Center before opening La Diáspora with Jeannette Rivera as a collective for local artists.
“After the pandemic hit, I realized that there were a lot of artists that were in need of space, in need to sell and in need of a place to do events. I thought of this idea of a collective of artists that pay membership and become part of a group,” said Miranda. The collective allows members to utilize La Diáspora’s 234 Exchange St. location to exhibit and sell their work, as well as hosting different artistic events that engage the public.
“[La Diáspora] maintains an art culture in our city,” said Miranda.
For the Black Art exhibit, Miranda expressed his interest in hosting artistic endeavors that correlate with current events. “With this being Black History Month, I thought it would be great to bring to Chicopee an exhibit that relates to the times,” said Miranda. The La Diáspora owner shared that he hosted a similar exhibit in Springfield last year, with that event’s success inspiring him to continue the idea this year in Chicopee.
The exhibit will feature artwork from Miranda along with local artists Chaunacey Crafts, Marc Austin, Lydia Freytes, Ruby Parker, Derrick Jamison, Malcolm Wilson, Ray Rafaelle and a few other unannounced exhibitioners. Miranda said he curated the group of active artists from his experiences in the local art scene.
“It’s people that are currently active in the community and they are very passionate about their work. I wanted to highlight people of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Community,” said Miranda.
Miranda aspires for visitors of the exhibit to appreciate art’s diversity and its representation of current zeitgeist. “I want people to see how diverse art is and how it is manifesting itself in our current time…Art reflects the status of the people and the status of the culture, and I think by looking at the work of these active artists, we are putting a timestamp on the current state of the culture in Western Mass.,” said Miranda.
The La Diáspora owner also hopes community members see what can be accomplished through the Chicopee Cultural Council, with the exhibit being partially supported from one of the council’s yearly grants.
“I want people to see what they can do with and for the Cultural Council,” said Miranda.
Readers can learn more information about La Diáspora, the Black Art exhibit and future projects at https://www.shopladiaspora.com/.