Overlap gallery will present “Forging Freedom: Atlantic Journeys,” an exhibition exploring Black and Indigenous histories through the work of 10 contemporary artists, with proceeds benefiting the Newport Historical Society’s Edward W. Kane and Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History.
The exhibition, curated by Dr. Akeia de Barros Gomes, director of the Center for Black History, opens Saturday, Nov. 15, with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. at Overlap’s gallery at 112 Van Zandt Ave. The show runs through Dec. 20.
Featured artists include Bob Dilworth, Sika Foyer, Christian Gonçalves, Silvermoon LaRose, Jazzmen Lee-Johnson, Veronica Mays, Jordan Seaberry, Jason E. Smith, Jean-Marc Superville Sovak and Robin S. Spears Jr.
“Forging Freedom places Black and Dawnland (New England) Indigenous histories, knowledge, and creativity into the story of American heritage and experience,” according to the exhibition description. The show centers Black and Indigenous voices and shares histories of freedom-making through the artists’ perspectives and creativity.
The artists reclaim freedom and freedom-making through their work and create alternative archives to fill historical gaps in documenting freedom-making of people of African and Indigenous descent in port cities.
De Barros Gomes will host a curator talk Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m.
“Freedom is often envisioned as a single moment in time, such as Juneteenth or the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, freedom is a process. Freedom-making is continuous — it is the work to move us from dystopia toward a utopia,” de Barros Gomes said.
The exhibition aims to raise community awareness and support for the Center for Black History in advance of its official opening on Juneteenth 2026.
As part of the semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution — the Newport Historical Society, in partnership with the Newport Middle Passage Port Marker Project and the Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University, will open the center to explore questions of freedom and recognize the freedom-making of people of African descent in Newport.
“At the Newport Historical Society, we strive to meet people where they are, providing different points of entry into our shared history, and that includes contemporary artwork,” de Barros Gomes said. “We invite the public to come see the exhibition, learn more about our vision for the Center, and consider adding to their personal collections in service of a worthy cause.”
Overlap is an artist-run gallery space in Newport that showcases and offers contemporary artworks by regional artists.
For more information, visit overlapnewport.com.
