Presence of Color: Seeing Ourselves Clearly

This curator-guided experience, led by Tamara Holmes Brothers, Ph.D., invites participants to examine how systems of photography have historically centered whiteness as the ideal of beauty, exposure, and “correct” color. The activity also looks at how artist Jeremy Okai Davis reclaims representation through portraiture and color. You will be asked to take part in short conversations to think about artistic agency and the importance of being seen.

This drop-in activity is designed to be 15-20 minutes for guests to engage with the themes of the exhibition on its closing day. Printed “Shirley Cards” will be available for guests to use, and participants are encouraged to bring their own compact makeup mirrors or use their phones in selfie mode for part of this experience.

All three of our current exhibitions will be closing on Sunday, April 26th. Tickets can be purchased separately for our Jazz Greats Closing Performance with Paul Cornish using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985754113007?aff=oddtdtcreator

About The Curator:

Dr. Tamara Holmes Brothers is the Director of Program Outreach & Engagement for the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. She oversees program development and strategic engagement for the state’s historic sites, museums, parks, arts, and environmental resources, advancing inclusive public access to North Carolina’s cultural assets. A respected cultural leader, Dr. Brothers has curated exhibitions highlighting African American art and artists of the African diaspora.

Her career spans executive roles in fine arts, philanthropy, and higher education, including positions at Duke University’s Nasher Museum of Art and Fayetteville State University. Throughout her work, she has cultivated platforms for artists of color and helped shape programming that bridges scholarship, community engagement, and cultural preservation.

A dedicated community advocate, she has served on numerous boards and councils, including the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission and several Governor-appointed advisory councils.

Dr. Brothers is a native of Fayetteville, NC, and holds a B.A. in Art from Hampton University, an M.S. in Sport Management from West Virginia University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Management from Hampton University, along with multiple certifications in grief support, historic preservation, curating, and nonprofit management.

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Host or Publisher Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture