Arts Council to host Happy Hill Neighborhood Association Art Anthology exhibition curated by local artist and neighborhood resident, Kayyum Allah
(L to R) Local artist Jerry Hanes, Amy Binns, and Phebe Pankey.
Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will host the Happy Hill Neighborhood Association (HHNA) Art Anthology exhibition curated by Kayyum Allah Jan. 19-Feb.18. The exhibition will be on view in the Main Gallery at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. An artist reception will take place Thursday, Feb. 1, 5-7 p.m.
The HHNA Art Anthology was founded in 1999 and established in 2018 by Kayyum Allah, a local artist and resident of the Happy Hill community. He was born and raised in Happy Hill and now serves as a tour guide and historian of the oldest African American community in North Carolina.
Happy Hill has a rich history with an invaluable contribution to the development of Old Salem and Winston-Salem. Located less than a mile away from Old Salem, Happy Hill grew and prospered as a progressive and industrious community, despite segregation laws and systematic racism. Much of Happy Hill was destroyed, torn down, or removed over time. Today, many efforts are in place to rebuild and reclaim the rich history of the community.
“The visual interpretation of the community was essential in the revitalization process of Happy Hill,” said Kayyum Allah. “Many years of research and support of the HHNA created a space for the Art Anthology to thrive and serve as a creative archive to the mission and vision of rebuilding the community.”
With support from artists in the community and charitable financial contributions from the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts of UNCSA and the HHNA, the Happy Hill Art Anthology Coalition was created. This art exhibit serves as the first yield of a fruitful and collaborative mission. Featured artists in the exhibition include Kayyum Allah, Jerry Hanes, Don Sawyer, Gilbert Young, Amy Binns, Phebe Pankey, Brianna Hariston, Mikaila Muhammad, and Gerald Hayden.
Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making a great place to live, work, and play.
