Togetherness explores the many ways individualism takes the form of unintentional oppression and disconnection. Expressed often as assuming to know what’s best, avoiding uncomfortable conversations, or “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps”, the cultural attachment to individualism leads us to deny our essential interdependence and remain susceptible to white supremacy conditioning.

Togetherness asks the question: what does it look, sound, smell, feel like when we center the collective above the individual? Intentionally localized, this one-month “exhibition” will build a collective consciousness around the relationship between the individual and the community as it relates to North Adams. All are invited to reflect through words, visuals, music, and more, which will be shared anonymously at the culmination event on November 21.

As two white cis-women artists, Jessica Sweeney and Becky Waterhouse remind that the work of interrogating and disrupting white supremacy culture is a burden to be largely carried by white people, with the consenting wisdom of BIPOC people leading as guidance, not labor.

Opening Conversation Starter: Oct 21, 5-7pm
Culmination Presentation: Nov 21, 5-7pm