Coming up from SJIMA: Dr. Kellie Kirksey on race, activism, poetry

‘Dancing’ with the rhythm of words and sounds
to survive the generational wound of racism

||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART |||

Join the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) while nationally known educator, author and counselor, Dr. Kellie Kirksey shares her stories and poetry. With passion and dedication, Kirksey advocates for peace, wellness, and equality. This is a shared event with the support of the health and social justice community.

The interactive presentation takes place on Saturday, July 17 at the San Juan Island Grange from 5:30-7. Listen to poetry born of both despair and hope. Allow yourself to journey within as the author shares her lived experiences as well as stories of her ancestors. Practice being a witness to words that may stir your soul and expand your world.

Tickets are $10 and are available at www.sjima.org under “Learn,” at the  SJIMA desk Thurs.-Mon. 11-5 at 154 Spring St. Friday Harbor, or at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

At a separate event on Sunday, July 18, Dr. Kirksey will conduct a special workshop at 555 McDonald in Friday Harbor, sponsored by the social justice and health care community. The workshop is entitled Anti-Racism is a Verb: Journaling as a Self-Awareness practice on the endless road to Allyship. Spend an afternoon with the author journaling, stretching, and shaking out some of those tightly held beliefs that may or may not keep us separate and silent. Challenge yourself to journey into your unspoken feelings around privilege, reparations, and inequality.

Tickets are available on PayPal or Venmo at Shahn McGuire. For more information on this event, text 360-440-6189 or email shahnmcguire@gmail.com Tickets are $50, and you can pay at the door.

Currently, at SJIMA, Carol Beckwith’s and Angela Fisher’s dazzling exhibition, African Twilight, is on display until September 13. The adventurers and photographers capture the disappearing culture of Africa before it is too late. Also exhibited is PINK PEW by Billy Mark. His conceptual art piece intends to provoke contemplation of racism in America.

Hours are Thursday-Monday 11-5 and entry is $10, with members and those 18 and under admitted free of charge. Mondays are Pay As You Can Days. Visit SJIMA at www.sjima.org and sjima-online.org. SJIMA is located at 540 Spring Street in Friday Harbor, WA.