Vassar College Center Gallery presents Chris Myers’ mixed-media exhibit, through February 16

A collection of photographs, sculpture, and mixed-media artwork by Chris Myers, inspired by photographs of African-Americans who performed in circus freak shows across the United States in the early 20th and late 19th centuries, is on display at Vassar's College Center Gallery through Wednesday, February 16.

Myers, a graduate of the Whitney Museum of American Art Independent Studio Program, has exhibited at the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the United Nations. He has also published several books for young adults and children, including the Caldecott Honor Book "Harlem," and the National Book Award Finalist "Monster," both written by his father, Walter Dean Myers. He is currently working on a series of photographs and collages for a book of e.e. cummings poetry, preparing a performance version of "Chris Myers' All-Negro Freakshow," and writing a play about two lions who terrorized the workers building a railroad across Kenya in 1896.

The exhibit, titled as "Chris Myers' All-Negro Freakshow," is inspired by photographs of African-Americans who performed in circus freak shows across the United States in the early 20th and late 19th centuries. "Through photography, painting, and sculpture I retell the stories of these people who were once branded as freaks. I tell their stories to bring their humanity back to them. I tell their stories to accentuate the complex lives they must have led. These stories reflect the construction of gender, race, and culture. They show the complexity of modern identities and images, how we talk about who we are," Myers states in an explanation of his work.

The College Center Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For information call (845) 437-5370. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Cathy Jennings, office of campus activities, (845) 437-5370, as far in advance as possible to request appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Vassar is located on Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Friday, January 21st, 2000.