The Harvey B Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, Chop Shop: We Are Here - The Chop Shop Artists Collective

Curated by Steven M. Cozart and Roymieco CarterChop Shop: We Are Here is a collective exploration of racial consciousness and identity through drawing, painting, and sculpture. The Chop Shop Artists Collective, a group of Black and Brown male artists, was founded in 2020 during the global pandemic as a space for virtual conversations and fellowship. In the wake of George Floyd's murder and its worldwide broadcast, these artists found strength in community, bonding over shared experiences.Many members are educators who recognize art's power to teach and inspire. The phrase "We Are Here"– an assertion of presence– counters the strategies of separation and control that have historically been used to oppress Black and Brown people, especially within educational institutions, employment opportunities, and fine art spaces.