State College Borough’s annual Juneteenth celebration returns this weekend with an art exhibition and block party.
Organized by the borough, Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, it will mark the sixth annual local celebration of the national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
The celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 13, with the launch of the art exhibition “Juneteenth: Our Freedom, Our Fight, Our Future: Standing on the Shoulders of Our Ancestors” at the Woskob Family Gallery, 146 S. Allen St. The exhibition will feature works in a variety of media by local, national and international artists expressing the ideas of freedom, unity, peace and justice and reflecting the importance of generational strength, according to a news release.
“In these challenging times, honoring the strength of our ancestors, respecting the many challenges they faced and using that power as energy to move forward is more important than ever—to our daily lives and to the creative process,” Grace Hampton, co-founder and chair of the Juneteenth Arts Exhibition Committee, said in a statement. “Today more than ever, the arts are vital to showcasing our history and to ensuring it continues to be recognized as a vital part of this country’s complete history.”
The exhibition’s featured artist is Nathan Addley, an Atlanta-based artist who specializes in large-scale portraiture that “explores the intersections of identity, culture and emotion, presenting moments that speak to universal truths while grounding them in contemporary realities,” according to the borough. “His work emphasizes the beauty found within adversity and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.”
A diverse panel will serve as judges for the exhibition, which will include works from K-12 students and adult artists.
Awards will be announced at the opening reception, which feature West African dance and drumming by Jeff Martin and his troupe, and songs performed by Whitney McMullen, a rising junior at State College Area High School and a member of the International Thespian Society Troupe 5029.
The artwork will remain on display through July 31, and the Woskob Family Gallery is planning a series of events focused on the exhibition every Friday.
BLOCK PARTY
The Juneteenth block party will offer food, music, poetry, dance and more from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and 100 block of South Fraser Street.
This year’s event will feature two headliners among the performers: Gabby Samone and The Brencore Allstars.
Samone is a rising soul and R&B artist from Baltimore who blends gospel roots with modern soul, pop and storytelling. American Idol fans will recognize Samone as a top-24 contestant in 2024.
The Brencore Allstars is a nationally acclaimed tribute band performing soul, Motown and R&B hits.
Marching Cobras, a drumline and dancers from New York, will start the festivities with dynamic routines and vibrant music.
The event will also showcase a number of talented local and regional performers, as well as vendors offering a variety of local crafts, food and merchandise.
In addition to live performances, attendees can explore pop-up art displays, story circles and cultural exhibits, and a Kid Zone will feature face painting and cultural activities.
“For six powerful years, we’ve gathered to honor Juneteenth—marking not just a date in history, but the heartbeat of a people’s unbreakable journey toward freedom,” said Leslie Laing, co-chair of the Juneteenth commemoration and director of Adult Learner Programs & Services at Penn State. “During our Juneteenth Commemoration, we will amplify the spirit of Lady Liberty that stands tall in our collective memory and enjoy Motown melodies that echo with the rhythms of resilience. We will celebrate the fight that brought us here, the freedom we’ve claimed and the future we dare to dream.
“I invite the community to champion our collective independence and allow the celebration to illuminate our path forward—with pride, with purpose and with unstoppable hope.”
