MADISON (WKOW) — The 5th annual Dzigbodi Akyea art show at Madison College opened on Feb. 5, showcasing Black artwork and memorializing former academic advisor Akyea who passed in 2021.
“It’s a way to celebrate Black women, affinity groups, having a space where you feel like you belong,” said Morgan Smith. “It’s really an opportunity also for us to celebrate joy, beauty and creativity.”
This year’s theme is “She Carried Us: Legacies of Labor, Love and Liberation,” honoring Black women’s impact on communities and culture. Both Morgan Smith and Rhoda McKinny are former colleagues and friends of Akyea.
“It’s not just women that enter into this show. It’s sons, it’s fathers, so it’s more than just about women. It’s about the community. It’s how we feel about Black women,” said Rhoda McKinny, a Madison college employee.
The exhibit is also highlighting the Dzigbodi Akyea Scholarship for Black students pursuing a Liberal Arts program.
The exhibit runs until Feb. 27 and is open to the public.
