BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:NingEventWidget-v1 VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT UID:4320450:Event:173871 DTSTAMP:20261022T231028Z SUMMARY:The People Who Could Fly DESCRIPTION:GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum is proud to present Lavett Ballard: The People Who Could Fly, an exhibi tion that will run from March 31 through May 1. The exhibition will fe ature new works by artist Lavett Ballard, with an artist’s reception and gallery talk scheduled for April 3 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In th is evocative body of work, Ballard offers a visual narrative that draw s deeply from African folklore, history, and cultural traditions. The exhibition explores the stories and experiences of people of African d escent, with a particular focus on their resilience, strength, and leg acy. Ballard's art seeks to amplify tribal stories and African America n history, presenting these as a way to honor the rich and diverse cul tural heritage of African diasporic communities. Drawing from themes o f flight, freedom, and ancestral connection, The People Who Could Fly  references the African American folklore of the same name, which tel ls the story of enslaved individuals who were believed to have the abi lity to fly, symbolizing a deep spiritual connection to freedom and tr anscendence. Through her work, Ballard re-imagines these powerful narr atives, creating a visual language that honors both the past and the o ngoing struggles for liberation. This exhibition also digs into the im portance of storytelling in African cultures, where oral traditions an d art have long played an essential role in preserving heritage and co mmunicating across generations. Ballard’s works invite viewers to co nsider the ways in which these stories and symbols shape identity, res istance, and belonging in both historical and contemporary contexts.\n Artist’s Statement: This body of work is inspired by cherished Stor ytime moments with my granddaughter, particularly our shared love for  The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton. This powerful tale, roote d in an African American folktale, has also influenced one of my favor ite authors, Toni Morrison, in Song of Solomon. These works serve as the foundation for my exploration of resilience, hope, and freedom thr oughout African American history. The visual narrative I seek to conve y traces a journey from Africa, through the harrowing Middle Passage, to enslavement, and ultimately to liberation and resilience. My goal i s to guide viewers through this story, forging connections between the past and the present. To bring this vision to life, I am creating art that intertwines folktale, history, and culture, incorporating reclai med wood fencing and wooden substrates to craft wall-hung pieces and s culptural works. My techniques will include mixed-media approaches des igned to engage viewers in a dynamic interpretation of this bitterswee t folktale—extending its meaning beyond enslavement to celebrate res ilience and identity by blending both the past and the present day. Th rough this exhibition, I hope to honor the enduring spirit of the Afri can American experience and inspire reflection on the collective journ ey from oppression to empowerment.\n\n\nFor more information visit htt p://phillytodo.com/events/the-people-who-could-fly DTSTART:20250403T210000Z DTEND:20250403T230000Z CATEGORIES:the, people, who, could, fly LOCATION:Glassboro, NJ WEBSITE:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opening-reception-lavett-ballard- the-people-who-could-fly-tickets-1274266077139?aff=ebdssbdestsearch URL:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opening-reception-lavett-ballard-the- people-who-could-fly-tickets-1274266077139?aff=ebdssbdestsearch CONTACT:(856) 256-4521 ORGANIZER;CN="mary salvante":http://phillytodo.com/profile/marysalvant e ATTACH;FMTTYPE="image/jpeg":https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0 /file/get/13523363675?profile=original ATTENDEE;ROLE=REQ-PARTICIPANT;PARTSTAT=ACCEPTED;RSVP=TRUE;CN="mary sal vante":http://phillytodo.com/profile/marysalvante END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR