“Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story to is so important.
It says: 'I was here. I may be sold tomorrow.
But you know I was here.'”
- Maya Angelou
Reverence, An Archival Altar, is a captivating art-based project that celebrates the unique stories of the everyday people we hold as our “greats and giants” within the local Black community. Through the memory work of story collection, Reverence brings together the power of archival preservation and the sacred practice of ancestor veneration through altars. Memory work is holy and should be held as such. Our archives are altars, and the act of altar building is a deeply powerful practice that grounds us in the belief that
All Black folks Deserve to Be Witnessed and Revered.
Meet Our New Haven Artists
Through building family archives and celebrating the lives of our loved ones who have transitioned, Reverence asks us to examine how we are intentional about our memory-keeping in the present. What can we learn as “Ancestors in Training” from the people we hold as our greats and giants? What will it mean to those we will become ancestors, to have the ability to see our faces, hear our voices, engage with our laughter, and hold our memories? How are you taking care of your family’s history and stories? History is a resource, and art is the medium of capturing that memory in physical form.
As a love offering, we connected with families from New Haven, Connecticut, and paired them with a local artist to transform their loved ones’ legacies into commissioned work. Many artists in the project chose to honor their own family’s great or giant. By intertwining personal stories with collective memory, Reverence gives families and individuals the tools to begin their archives while allowing the community to join in honoring their loved ones. This work culminates in a community altar exhibition that holds our memories as the cherished relics they are.
Reverence - An Archival Altar seeks to remind us of the importance of recognizing and honoring the stories of Black people. It provides a platform for healing, understanding, and appreciation while emphasizing the inherent worthiness of reverence for Black communities. Through art, storytelling, and the sacredness of altars, this project serves as a powerful testament to the beauty found within the tapestry of Black lives.
New Haven Greats and Giants we honor…
We thank the families of the giants who are featured in the exhibition: Mrs. Syla Alexandria Artis Branch, Mr. James Albert Brantley Sr., Ms. Juanita Keen Cooper, Mrs. Elizabeth Fain, Mrs. Annie Huckaby, Mrs. EllaNora Price, Mr. Douglas McClure, and Mr. Edward Gillespie Benedict Miller III.
Instagram: @reverencearchives
