20 Men Project – A Photographic Exhibit
Thursday, February 6, 6:30 pm - Saturday, February 8, 6:00 pm
Free
A powerful photographic series that celebrates the diversity, humanity, and strength of local Black men as seen through the lens of photographer Sandrien de Bruijn-Mesman.
What began in 2021 as a series of 20 portraits has since grown to a travelling exhibit of 35 photographs. De Bruijn-Mesman was inspired to create this project following community conversations in the wake of the 2020 murder of George Floyd, and the calling out of commonly negative portrayals of Black and Brown men in the media.
Black males are often depicted as criminals in imagery throughout our society, particularly on billboards and in the news media. This exhibit is a resounding rejection of these negative portrayals of Black and Brown men, and reinforces the positive reality of their presence in our communities.
The exhibit opens to the public on Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m., and at 7 p.m., the PAC Center will host a facilitated community discussion with de Bruijn-Mesman and several of the 35 men who posed for the photographs.
The exhibit and discussion are free and open to the public. The exhibit will be available for further viewing on Fri., Feb. 7 from noon-9 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 8 from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
