The Black + Gold Artists Exchange brings Black American and Asian American artists together to share stories, exchange creative practices, and explore connections between their communities through art and collaboration. While these communities share parallel experiences of systemic oppression and marginalization, the intersections between their histories and lived experiences remain largely unexplored.
By creating space for artists to exchange perspectives, build relationships, and create together, the project explores those intersections and the possibilities that emerge from them. The resulting work offers audiences a more nuanced view of Philadelphia’s interconnected cultural histories and communities.
More than an artistic collaboration, the Black + Gold Artists Exchange is an exercise in civic reimagining, using creative dialogue and mutual understanding to explore what becomes possible when communities encounter, learn from, and create with one another.
Project Participants
Artists: Gina Kim, Kara Mshinda, Anula Shetty, and Marquis Wright-Lee.
Curators: Romana Lee Akiyama and Michelle Myers
Co-facilitator: Nina “Lyrispect” Ball
The project will culminate in a pop-up exhibition showcasing new works by the participating artists.
The exhibitions and programs will take place on November 14 and 15, 2026, at Asian Arts Initiative and Painted Bride Project Space. Program schedule forthcoming. RSVP to the Pop-up exhibition by clicking “Get Tickets“ below:
