The Reser & Art in Oregon Present:
BLACK MATTER
September 5 – November 7, 2025
BLACK MATTER is a traveling exhibition that centers the voices of Black artists in Oregon, offering space for honest, expansive expression beyond imposed narratives of trauma or resistance. It challenges the expectation that Black art must always be political and instead celebrates the fullness of Black humanity, imagination, and creativity. This exhibition affirms that Black artists matter—not as symbols or spokespeople, but as complex individuals shaping culture through their unique and vital perspectives.
Participating Artists:
Intisar Abioto, Amirah Chatman, Jeremy Okai Davis, Sadé Duboise, Santigie & Sapata Fofana-Dura, Jason Graham (MO WO), and Master Artist Michael Bernard Stevens Jr.
Sponsored by Art in Oregon and Rembold.
Check out our related exhibition, ReEnvisioned: Contemporary Portraits of our Black Ancestors with featured works that will be displayed at The Reser and the 1st floor of The Beaverton Building/City Hall.
About the Guest Curator:
Tammy Jo Wilson is a Black artist, curator, educator, and arts organizer dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where art serves as a catalyst for connection, dialogue, and change. Based in Portland, Oregon, she weaves together her passion for advocacy, creativity, and community-building to uplift underrepresented voices—particularly Black artists—through exhibitions, programming, and mentorship.
Wilson serves as the Ambassador for the Black Art & Experiences Initiative at the Portland Art Museum, furthering her mission to center Black voices and expand access to the arts. With an MFA from San Jose State University and a BFA from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, she co-founded Art in Oregon, a statewide nonprofit fostering artistic equity and cultural vitality. She has curated numerous exhibitions, including Black Matter, an ongoing traveling show featuring Oregon-based Black artists, and Terrain, a land art exhibit celebrating the intersection of art and environment. As the Director of Exhibits & Programming for Bush House Museum and Visual Arts & Technology Program Manager at Lewis & Clark College, she continually works to expand opportunities for artists while reshaping institutional narratives around art and identity.
Wilson’s own artistic practice has been showcased nationally, with recent solo exhibitions at Souvenir Gallery in Portland, Gretchen Schuette Gallery in Salem, and Truckenbrod Gallery in Corvallis. Through her work—whether as an artist, curator, or organizer—she seeks to challenge oppressive systems, celebrate resilience, and foster meaningful connections through art.
INSIGHTS – FREE PROGRAMMING
9/18 MOsley WOtta — Spoken Word & Performance
9/20 BLACK MATTER Panel Discussion
10/3 First Friday Art Walk & The Giving Tree Was Black Performance