Meet the artists behind the 'Freedom' exhibit now open at EPL

Plus wellness, genealogy and other events rounding out Black History Month at your library

Curated by Evanston-based artist Yeefah Thurman, Freedom explores themes of race and identity through a wide range of media: assemblage, photography, digital, paint and more. The exhibit is open in the gallery on the Main Library's third floor through March 31, but you can see the work and meet the artists to learn more about their inspiration and process this Wednesday, Feb. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit features works by:

- Amatziyah Thurman, an Evanston native, currently works as a digital artist incorporating acrylic gel and paint. As an artist, Thurman’s goal is to bring his inner world to life for everyone to see. 

- Katia Jackson is a blossoming Chicago-based photographer. Getting her start in 2019, Jackson frequently grapples with the themes of racial justice, identity, and family through her work.

- Antonia Villaseñor-Marchal is a Chicago-based, Latinx, and Indigenous artist and educator that combines traditional craft techniques with her education in fashion design to create soft sculptures, weavings, fiber paintings, textile installations, drawings, and collages. She hopes that her work will encourage viewers to consider issues of cultural, social, spiritual, ecological, and political importance.

- Yeefah Thurman is an Evanston-based multi-media assemblage artist and educator. Through her work, Thurman hopes “to highlight that our experiences can be expanded If we look into the world of someone very different from ourselves.”

The Freedom exhibit is just one of the many activities highlighting the contributions of Black Americans and creating outlets for joy and expression this Black History Month at the Evanston Public Library. If you've missed any of our curated collection of programs happening this month, there's still time! Join us for: 

A Holistic Nutritional Approach to Black Mental Wellness

Dr. Ruby Lathon, PhD, is a certified holistic nutritionist featured in the hit documentary, What the Health. Join her for a presentation on Black mental wellness, using a holistic and nutritional approach and learn about the gut-brain axis, how to feed your brain, the connections between inflammation and food and how to eat to protect against dementia, plus be inspired by her own powerful story of recovering her health after thyroid cancer. Friday, February 24, 6-7 p.m. Virtual. Register.

Family Sleuth Project: Black History Month Workshop

Join the African American Historical/Genealogy Study Group of Evanston in identifying African Americans who have made contributions to American history with the clues, tools and research materials sent to your family to explore together. This program is made possible through a grant from Evanston Cradle to Career. Saturday, Feb. 25, 11-1 p.m. at the Robert Crown Branch. Register. 

Short & Sweet: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! 

Come to the library for a special story time and to make your rocket ship bookmark in honor of Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space. Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 pm at the Main Library.  Learn more. 

Evanston Black History Scavenger Hunt

Ten hidden pictures about Black history here in Evanston. One clue sheet in your hand. How many pictures can you find? How much history will you learn? These interactive scavenger hunts dedicated to Black history across Evanston are available during opening hours at the Main Library and the Crown Branch Library. All month long. Learn more.