100 Percent of the Everson’s Board Sponsors Latest Exhibition

SYRACUSE, NY (April 10, 2021): In support of an institutional commitment to combating racism and inequality, the Everson Museum of Art Board of Trustees is proud to announce that it has fully underwritten the exhibition Who What When Where, opening today, Saturday, April 10. All of the 29 Everson Trustees have contributed financially to support the exhibition and related programs.

“It’s not just a gesture of good faith, it’s an act of solidarity and putting our money where our mouths are,” says Board Chair Jessica Arb Danial of the collective sponsorship. “As stewards of this pioneering institution, we want to make it clear that we’re moving toward real change and a new way of doing things.”

Based on the iconic Carrie Mae Weems’ 1998 photographic series of the same name, Who What When Where uses the four fundamental words for narrative construction to explore how images are interpreted through the subjective lens of identity, place, time, and power. Spanning a variety of media and decades, it features works by more than fifty nationally and locally recognized artists and introduces several recent acquisitions that bring new and much needed perspectives to the Everson’s collection. Excerpts from a statement by the exhibition’s curatorial team read:
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Who What When Where is a curatorial call to action aimed at reconciling a divided community. During a year clouded by the Coronavirus pandemic that witnessed George Floyd’s violent death, an insurrection at the US Capitol, and growing violence targeting Asian-Americans, our nation has been splintered by fear, distrust, hate and misinformation. In a polarized socio-political climate, how can we, as cultural workers, help mend the fabric of our society? With art.
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We are proud of the measures that the Everson has taken inwardly and outwardly but realize that meaningful change takes time, perseverance, and a willingness to have difficult and uncomfortable conversations. We know this exhibition will elicit strong reactions, and that it will not be the last to do so. Here, we ask the question that Weems implied: WHY? Because we must.

“This is one of the Everson’s most courageous, powerful, and relevant exhibitions to date,” says Director Elizabeth Dunbar. “It’s been inspiring to see our Board’s collective commitment to addressing social change through art, and backing their commitment with meaningful action and financial resources.”

Who What When Where will be on view at the Everson through August 22, 2021. An accompanying speaker series with artists featured in the exhibition will run from April through August. Details and registration at everson.org/talkseries.