State College will celebrate Juneteenth this weekend with a downtown block party and art exhibition honoring Black history, culture and community.
The seventh annual State College Juneteenth celebration will take place Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, with the theme “Freedom, Justice, Equality: An Intergenerational Perspective.”
Events begin Friday with the opening reception for the Juneteenth arts exhibition from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Woskob Family Gallery, located at 146 South Allen Street.
The exhibit brings together artists from State College and beyond whose work examines themes of identity, community and the meaning of freedom through a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture and textile art. The exhibition will remain on display through Aug. 7.
Among the featured artists are Penn State graduate Kennedy Ferguson, award-winning abstract paint Barry King, State College-based multimedia artist June Ramsay, fine arts photographer Helen Velasquez Martinez, award-winning recent State High grad Aisha Watson and Penn State student Irvin Moore, who began creating art while incarcerated for 52 years and continued developing his work after his release in 2021.
“Through painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, fiber arts, and other artistic forms, artists reflect on the struggles, triumphs, and aspirations that connect generations,” the borough wrote in a news release. “The exhibition serves as a reminder that the story of freedom is not confined to a single moment in history but rather an ongoing journey shaped by the courage, creativity, and determination of each generation.”
The celebration continues Saturday with a Juneteenth Block Party from noon to 6 p.m. on the 100 block of South Fraser Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. The free event will feature live music. performances, food vendors, local businesses, community organizations and activities for all ages.
This year’s entertainment lineup will be headlined by Maya Azucena, a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn whose music draws from soul and R&B influences and who has performed in more than 40 countries. In addition to her work as a performer, Azucena is known for advocacy efforts focused on social justice and community empowerment.
The entertainment lineup also includes JUMP DC, a Washington, D.C.-based youth double-dutch team whose high-energy performances are known for blending music, movement and youth expression.
“What makes Juneteenth in State College so special is the incredible talent and passion that already exists within our community,” Chiluvya Zulu, borough director of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, said. “From artists and performers to small business owners, educators, and community organizations, this celebration showcases the many people who help make our community vibrant and welcoming. Juneteenth creates a space where we can honor history, support local talent, and come together to celebrate the diversity that strengthens State College.”
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free more than two years after the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The date is widely recognized as marking the end of slavery in the United States and became a federal holiday in 2021 after Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
Organizers say the annual celebration is designed to bring the community together while recognizing the history and significance of Juneteenth through art, education and cultural programming.
The event is supported by a partnership with Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts, the borough of State College and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.
Both the art exhibition and the block party are free and open to the public.
