
EXHIBITION ARCHIVE



Dr. Joseph & Bootsie Howard Gallery
Our exhibition “50 Years And I Still Can’t Breathe Remembering the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Watts Rebellion and Now” opened in both the Watts Towers Arts Center, Noah Purifoy Gallery and Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center, Mingus Gallery on February 22, 2015 and was held over to August 7, 2016. This compelling socially conscious exhibition gave platform to 32 multicultural artists to express their artistic view on the past and present atmosphere, of not only our Watts community, but the United States in general. The week of August 11-16, 1965 was the setting for the 1965 Watts Rebellion with six days of turmoil and violence that left 34 dead, thousands of injuries, upwards of 3,000 arrested and 40 million dollars in property damage. The frustration and anger mirrored the signs of the time as they do now. There is still a lack of economic, educational and job opportunities, as well as the availability of health care: and the incarceration rate is disproportionately high. Evidence every day is police injustice and misconduct against minority communities. This environment of oppression, neglect and institutional racism leads to apathy, and still remains a breeding ground for future upheavals.
What do we do NEXT? What can I do NEXT? What does our nation do NEXT? “The Power of Love” is offered to us by Carlos Spivey. We see in his vibrant work, so many variation on love for his art, family and culture. “It’s All About The Bass” brought to us by Sammy Davis, acknowledges the variety and power of the art of photography and the art of music as it speaks to us in so many ways. When I/we can begin to see all people as human beings. Until that change happens within us there can be no empathy for others. We must relearn that we are all in the world together; I am my brother ‘s/sister’s keeper.
As we look at ourselves for all of our positive attributes first, there is less room for focusing on of the negative propaganda being spread by fear mongers. Let’s begin to appreciate our small gifts and strengthen our resolve to have more patience and understanding and less fear. Fear cannot live as long as hope is alive. It begins with you. It’s all about coming together, we must close the divide. I/we must stand up for ourselves and for our neighbors, together we can make a difference.
The Power of Love
Artist: Carlos Spivey
August 21, 2016- March 5 2017
Noah Purifoy Gallery
It's All About the Bass
Artist: Sammy Davis
August 21, 2016- March 5 2017
Charles Mingus Gallery

50 Years And I Can't Breathe
Thru August 7, 2016
Noah Purifoy and Charles Mingus Galleries
50 Years and I Still Can't Breathe: Remembering the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Watts Rebellion and Now is a group exhibition that commemorates the Watts Rebellion 50 Years ago. It examines the pain, anger and triumph of the Uprising and the lasting effects it's had on Watts.
50 Years and I Still Can't Breathe: Remembering the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Watts Rebellion and Now: In Context: On August 11, 1965, a young black man named Marquette Frye was arrested at the intersection of Avalon and 116th Street. It was a hot summer's day when Frye was stopped on suspicion of drunk driving by a white police officer. Soon after that stop, a crowd gathered, arrests were made and six days of civil unrest followed. There was looting and arson. The National Guard was called in. By week's end, there were 34 dead and more than $40 million in damage. All the violence and destruction was about so much more than a mere traffic stop.
We welcome you to visit our Noah Purifoy Gallery and Charles Mingus Gallery, respectivley to see our collection
Artists: Lalo Alcaraz/ Sharon Barnes/ April Bey/
Siobhan OMochain Breathnach/ Debby Brewer/
Lavialle Campbell/ Junco Canche/ Kenneth Carnes/ Dale Davis/ Harry Drinkwater/ George Evans/ Al Khanasa/Alden Kimbrough/ Toni Love/ Michael Massenburg/ Jay Messinger/ Ernester Yerena Montejano/ Rosalyn Myles/ Max Neufeldt/ Noni Olabisi/ Elliott Pinkney/ Greg Pitts/ Judson Powell/ Noah Purifoy/ Lilia Ramirez/ Betye Saar/ Ruth Saturensky/ Leon Saulter/ Arthur Secunda/ Toni Scott/Joseph Sims/ Gordon Wagner

50 Years And I Can't Breathe
Charles Dickson
Thru August 7, 2016
Noah Purifoy and Charles Mingus Galleries
