Wilsonville Arts & Culture Council 

For October & November 2020, Blackfish Gallery presents an exhibition entitled Love Politik: One World, Indivisible, featuring juried and members’ works of visual art and the Be About Love Festival, a virtual stream of curated musical acts in jazz, blues, and indie rock, and includes performance art, theater, poetry and dance as well as immersive and interactive works. This project takes its inspiration from such figures as Gandhi, Dr. King, Coretta Scott King, Nelson Mandela, Mr. Rogers, Greta Thunberg, Jane Goodall, César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, Mother Teresa, and many others. Blackfish organizers are invoking these and others from the international arts scene in a call to loving arms on behalf of an urgently felt need to present works that celebrates all love. 

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Blackfish Gallery members share concern over current philosophical and political divisions which can leave citizens feeling hopeless, powerless, and alone. Because of its stature and forty-one year history, the gallery is in an excellent position to provide a platform for a wide variety of artists to speak out, to question, to share and to educate. By including many diverse voices, people with diverse backgrounds/perspectives/beliefs—this visual show and allied performances present a unique opportunity to encourage dialogue, challenge notions, and draw audiences into a cross-fertilization of new understanding and creative actions. The theme of love is intentionally being brought to the public in an election season when people will need supportive community and creative outlets, regardless of outcomes. As an artist-owned and operated gallery, Blackfish takes its responsibility to mediate and celebrate connection between the arts and the larger community seriously. This programming is funded, in part, by the Regional Arts & Culture Council, the Wilsonville Arts & Culture Council, and private donors.