Southern University art show Lightworks features 26 works
Lightworks transforms the Visual Arts Gallery at Southern University into a rotating narrative arena. Curator Keidrick Alford positions himself at the centre of the room, inviting viewers to turn with each piece and discover a new story. The show is a joint effort with the Ellemnop.art collective and builds on the momentum of the previous Free As They Want to Be exhibit.
The exhibition showcases 26 works by artists spanning teens to senior creators, including Randell Henry, Malaika Favorite, Keith ‘Cartoon Man’ Douglas and faculty member John Alleyne. Students and local community makers are featured alongside established names, underscoring the curatorial goal of highlighting those who are actively shaping the cultural landscape.
Media range from music videos and three‑dimensional installations to collages and a poignant literary piece. Poet Donney Rose contributes the poem Blood on the Bluff, recalling the 1972 tragedy of two Southern students killed during a boycott, adding a historical depth that resonates with campus memory.
Gallery director Samantha Combs frames the project as an effort to ‘shed light in a dark time,’ a theme that runs through rust‑laden paintings, protective gestures, and the varied storytelling formats. Free bus service and collaborative programming have already drawn hundreds of visitors, suggesting the show’s resonance extends beyond the university walls.