
FEB 1 - FEB 23
Columbia Arts & Black in the Gorge
Rooted in the Gorge
A Celebration of Diversity in Our Community
Opening Reception: SAT, FEB 1 | 5-7:30pm
Submissions are still being accepted. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
This show is all about showcasing the incredible diverse talent of our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) through various mediums, from paintings, pyrography, ceramics, sculpture, textile art, jewelry, intricate quilts, and more.
“Rooted” can have many meanings, but within this show, it’s all about building a legacy through creative expression, sharing a path of lineage through passion, and honoring the collective experience while expressing it through an extremely unique and personal lens.
Not only will every generation, from The Baby Boomers to Gen Z be represented, but we will also be paying respects to our ancestors through the storytelling of Black in the Gorge member, Linda Floyd’s quilts including the community quilt from Juneteenth 2023 as well as the community tree painting by Latoya Lovely from Juneteenth 2024.
We are proud to shine a spotlight on these gifted artists all while simultaneously raising funds for the Black in the Gorge Scholarship all February long.

About the Curator, Robin Allen
Robin Allen is a proud BIPOC artist, stylist, personal shopper, and creative herself. Based in the Gorge, she is the founder of "Stylist for the People," a fund and forthcoming show dedicated to providing free access to life and styling services for underserved and marginalized communities, with a focus on BIWOC, AAPI, differently-abled, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Robin's mission is to empower individuals to embrace and share their authentic identities confidently and purposefully. She also sits on the Boards of Columbia Center for the Arts and Black in the Gorge.
About the Black in the Gorge Scholarship Fund
The Black in the Gorge group saw a need in our community and established the first scholarship for Gorge residents who self-identify as Black/African American, Black bi-racial or Black multi-racial. The BiG Scholarship will be available to all ages seeking to further their education from graduating seniors to adults with financial need. Black in the Gorge grows the fund through various community events and appeals so that we can help more students with more substantial scholarships to give them more equal opportunities for higher education.