WCSU and Cultural Alliance partner for Juneteenth Celebration

A celebration of Juneteenth will again be held on the Midtown campus of Western Connecticut State University with live performances, music, food trucks, historical activities, and art exhibitions sponsored by the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut.

The free event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, on the Midtown campus at 181 White St. in Danbury.

D.J. Frank Stewart and MSM will provide music while visitors participate in Juneteenth walking tours, activities for kids, live performances, wellness events and more.

The two traveling art installations were curated by artist Elizabeth White of Bethel. Both exhibits amplify this year’s overall theme of “Educate, Empower, Engage,” through the lens of art.

“Ritual Open” is the work of eight artists who came together to build a shared exhibition on the theme of ritual. They explore processes of intentionality, cultural practice, familial patterns, documentation, gratitude, and mapping. Each artist created a five-foot by five-foot banner printed on mesh.

“The Folding Chair Collective” is a tribute to seven-term congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair!” Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek a presidential nomination. Several artists contributed a chair sculpture that speaks to different points of view concerning equity and empowerment and issues concerning a woman’s right to choose.

Organizers of the event welcome others interested in participating. For more information, email DanburyJune19@gmail.com.