Art & Conversation

Empathy is where it starts: this work of building a more equitable society. Division, after all, stems from an inability to connect, an inability to depart—even for a moment—from one’s own perspective, one’s own all-encompassing experience, and to consider another. It’s the poison of otherness, and the consequences are—as we know too well—far-reaching. And devastating.

But beyond empathy—as the President of Dialogue on Race Louisiana, Maxine Crump—notes, is awareness. “A lot of people look at something like racism and are sad about it, but don’t know what they’re looking at,” she said. “Information leads to understanding and understanding leads to informed action. When people’s actions are informed, what they do has more meaning and they are working in a better, fuller way towards a better society.”

[Read about participating artist Malaika Favorite in this story from our April 2019 issue]

Conversation and art have long been the heralds of broadening perspectives, and next week these two tools will come together in an effort to promote change here in Baton Rouge. Hosted by Baton Rouge Gallery in partnership with Dialogue on Race Louisiana, the “Artists for Dialogue on Race Louisiana” auction will take place online from August 20 to August 27.

“It was immediate,” said Baton Rouge Gallery President Jason Andreasen. “In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, the cases of Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor—far too many to name—a number of our artists reached out looking for ways to make a difference, using their talents and their voices.”

Andreasen said that the inclination was only natural, an extension of the artist’s work to share truths and experiences. “Part of what any arts organization, in my mind, should be doing is sharing experiences and allowing people to reconsider their own experiences as well as those of others,” he explained. “The other part is creating a space where those experiences can happen, and trying to foster opportunities for empathy, a space to examine things.”

“Art is so meaningful in what it communicates to people about their community, about their society, about themselves."

—Maxine Crump 

But there is also an opportunity to actively take part in ushering in change, which is where the idea for the auction came about. “We wanted to support an organization working in the world of racial equity, and we talked about a lot of great ones, many working on a national scale,” said Andreasen. “But eventually we landed on Dialogue on Race, an organization that has a long track record of doing incredible work locally and in Louisiana.”

Dialogue on Race Louisiana, chartered in 2011 and based on a model crafted over twenty years ago by Crump, is dedicated to fighting racism through education. Through sessions of guided conversations led by trained facilitators participants examine various facets and layers of racism in an environment meant to foster “open, honest, and brave” conversation. Since June, local interest in the program—which is currently being held via Zoom sessions—has spiked.

“A lot of nonprofits like ours are facing challenges raising money right now,” said Crump. “And our organization is in such high demand, which we want to maximize, but we need the support. So many people are calling to have this conversation about race.”

The auction, which includes works donated by over twenty Louisiana artists, is just one example of how organizations and individuals can come together to foster a more vulnerable, honest, an equitable community—a place where we can listen, ask questions, and enrich our perspectives; and then work together to make our city a better place for everyone.

"It's a great collaboration," said Crump. “Art is so meaningful in what it communicates to people about their community, about their society, about themselves. It’s a great creative space to begin for reflection, and so aligns with the work we do in creative conversation.”

Artists participating include: Katrina Andry, Anne Boudreau, Danielle Burns, Mary Lee Eggart, Malaika Favorite, Scott David Finch, Leslie Friedman, Rosemary Goodell, April Hammock, Diane Hanson, Randell Henry, Kathryn Hunter, Heather Ryan Kelley, Kelli Scott Kelley, Kelly A. Mueller, Isoko Onodera, Jaqueline Dee Parker, Alex Podesta, Kristine Thompson, Van Wade-Day, Todd Hines, Bruce Q. Williams, and Tonni McCollister. Also participating are a league of artists represented by Jonathan Ferrara Gallery in New Orleans, including: Ruth Owens, Jenny Day, and Mama Shopoff.  

100% of the proceeds will go towards Dialogue on Race Louisiana’s programming. Visit batonrougegallery.org/artists-for-dorla for more information and to sign up for a notification once the auction goes live on August 20.