CURATOR

Courtney Brooks

ARTIST

Dr. Doris Derby

Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived | An Archival Exhibtion Celebrating the Late Dr. Doris Derby | Opening Recpetion | May 6 | 6-8 p.m. | On View until June 10

March 28, 2022, Dr. Doris Derby, our beloved community mother and art activist, became an ancestor, giving us an extraordinary example of a life well lived. Her vibrant spirit, petite frame, and dreamy yet determined eyes unapologetically took up space as a creative and confident Black woman throughout her career and personal life. Dr. Doris Derby's perseverance is highly respected, and she is thoughtfully recognized as a change maker who succeeded in sharing narratives that highlighted Black people in a positive, affirming light.

Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived is an archival exhibition curated by Courtney Brooks, celebrating Dr. Derby’s private and public accomplishments through personal collections, photos, documentaries, writings and personal accounts. Organized with the generosity of the Derby Estate, this exhibition honors Dr. Derby's contributions as a cultural anthropologist, educator, author, photographer, Civil Rights icon, esteemed visionary and scholar. The ArtsXchange is one beneficiary of Dr. Derby's incredible generosity, and this exhibition is a tribute to her journey and the selfless-ness demonstrated by her life's work. By uplifting her legacy, we hope to educate and engage multi-generational communities, now and always, with the story of this remarkable woman.

Join us for the opening reception powered by Stefaniyemiya Ingram for Shifting Energy, 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, in the Jack Sinclair Gallery at the ArtsXchange.

This exhibition and programs are free events, suitable for all ages, open to the public.