Bethany Arts Community (BAC) is honored to announce its 5th annual Black History & Culture exhibition, titled “Black History & Culture: Eyes Wide Open.” The exhibition is curated by Ossining Village Historian, Joyce Sharrock Cole.
The 2025 Bethany Arts Community Black History exhibit “Black History & Culture: Eyes Wide Open” is a transformative journey that our society has long awaited. For too long, we have viewed history with eyes wide shut, omitting the presence, contributions, experiences, afflictions, and injustices suffered by African Americans in our shared history.
This exhibit signifies a pivotal moment where we commit to observing Black history with eyes wide open, fully acknowledging and embracing the realities experienced by African Americans in our community, state, and country. This commitment includes each one of us, making us all responsible for understanding and respecting the history of African Americans. We honor their contributions, resilience, and legacies that have the power to inspire, educate, and enrich our understanding of topics ranging from the enduring fight for civil rights and advances in medicine to culinary influences.
This exhibit is not just a display, but a powerful educational tool. As an African proverb wisely states, “Until the lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter.” Let this powerful message inspire and motivate us. It is time for the lion to speak.
The 5th installment of this award-winning exhibit at Bethany Arts Community will open on February 1, 2025 and will be on display through March 14, 2025. The Opening Reception will be Saturday February 1, 2025 from 6-8pm, open to all.
The exhibition will utilize oral history accounts and genealogical research to unearth the histories of the Black experience from all facets of life.
Programming throughout the month will include an opening reception including a living museum with local actors, an original theatre production titled The Sprit of Truth, talks, guided experiences with the curator, and school and community tours.
A programming highlight is The Spirit of Truth, a gripping original stage play written by playwright, Samuel Harps. Researched and Executive Produced by Joyce Sharrock Cole and Bethany Arts Community. Directed by Mel Hancock. The Production Assistant is Donna James.
The play asks the audience to step into the untold story of an icon, Sojourner Truth. Her name is etched in history as a suffragist, abolitionist, and fearless voice for justice. But before she became the legend we know today, there was a woman finding her way in the shadows of oppression, deception, and transformation.
Set against the backdrop of the 1830s, The Spirit of Truth reveals an extraordinary chapter of Sojourner Truth’s life—the years she spent in the village of Sing Sing, now Ossining. At the heart of the drama lies her entanglement with Zion, a radical religious cult led by the enigmatic and dangerous Prophet Matthias. Lies, betrayal, sex, adultery, and even murder swirl in the wake of her search for faith and identity. Through these trials, she emerges—not unscathed, but unbroken—on her path to becoming one of America’s most profound voices for freedom and equality. Witness the rise of a hero shaped by chaos, tragedy, and faith. Be transported to a time of fervent rebellion, where Sojourner Truth discovers the power of her voice, her mission, and her unshakable spirit.
This groundbreaking production is the result of extensive research into Black history in Ossining, led by Ossining Village Historian Joyce Sharrock Cole. Her meticulous exploration of local archives brought to light the fascinating intersection of Truth’s life and the unique history of Ossining.
“We are thrilled to bring this story to life on stage,” said Cole. “It’s a powerful reminder of how the histories of ordinary places intersect with extraordinary people like Sojourner Truth. Her time in Ossining was instrumental in shaping the figure we revere today.”
Playwright Samuel Harps was commissioned to weave this narrative into a gripping drama that captures both the historical and human elements of Truth’s journey. “Clearly one of the most remarkable stories I’ve been a part of. Joyce Sharrock Cole’s meticulous research has brought depth and clarity to The Spirit of Truth. Exploring the life of one of our most iconic figures on her journey to becoming Sojourner Truth has been a transforming experience…” said Harps.
The cast includes Ayanna Roberts as Isabella Van Wagenen (Sojourner Truth), Tarak Ojaghi as Prophet Matthias, Jason Summers as Elijah Pierson, Howard Weintraub as Benjamin Folger, Joanna Stone as Ann Folger, Catherine Banks as Catherine Galloway, Michael Chabler as Gilbert Vale, Daniel Hirst as William Nelson, Joseph Leone as Judge Charles Ruggles, Marisa Lowe as Isabella Laisdell, Bruce Pearl as Henry Western, and Katrina Holmes as Katy.
Performances are February 28, March 1-2, and March 7-9, 2025. All performances are at 7pm at Bethany Arts Community, located at 40 Somerstown Road in Ossining, NY. Tickets are $30 general admission and $25 Student/Senior. Tickets are available on the Bethany Arts Community website. To inquire about group ticket rates for groups of 8 or more, email alexar@bethanyarts.org. Please be advised, this production is meant for mature audiences only. Suggested for audiences 18+. Includes mature language and themes of sex and violence.
An additional programming highlight accompanying this year’s exhibit is Soulful Flavors: A Black Diaspora Culinary Journey. This event will take place on Saturday February 15, 2025, from 6-8pm at Bethany Arts Community. The event is an opportunity to experience the rich tapestry of African American culinary heritage. This unforgettable program takes you from the bold, vibrant flavors of Africa to the comforting dishes of American soul food, exploring the diverse foods of the African diaspora along the way. Through live cooking demonstrations, curated tastings, and storytelling, we’ll celebrate the deep cultural connections and resilience reflected in these cuisines. Tickets are required to attend the event and are available on Bethany’s website.
Recognition, media coverage, and last year’s attendance have set a great foundation for the Black History & Culture exhibition’s impact this year. In 2021-2024 exhibit attendees went from 500 to 4500. From 2021-2024, school partnerships have increased from one district to five, with a goal of partnering with seven local school districts in 2025 to continue to increase access to the exhibit material and engage more student communities throughout Westchester County. Bethany Arts Community is continuing their partnership with Ossining Union Free School District and The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns for school tours, and their commitment of 3,000 student visitors and families for 2025. Media coverage will continue to expand its reach from News 12 to online regional journals with a goal to reach national outlets. As our social media presence and sponsorships grow, we also continue to expand our outreach partnerships.
Bethany Arts Community has continued to expand their Docent program to include students from Ossining Union Free School District (OUFSD) in grades 5-12, in partnership with Roosevelt School and Ossining High School, as well as adults in the local community. Docents guide students and community members through the exhibit’s educational experiences.
The Docent program is designed to offer students and adults an exciting and engaging experience that stimulates learning, understanding, and compassion for others’ lived experiences. This program supports Bethany Arts Community’s mission to foster the intersection of ideas, sharing, connection, and collaboration, in an inclusive culture where people experience the power of art to improve lives and deepen their perceptions and perspectives of the world.
If you are interested in scheduling a school tour, a private group tour, and/or becoming a Docent, please reach out to Julia, BAC’s Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator, at julias@bethanyarts.org. Or call the BAC offices at 914-944-4278.
Bethany Arts Community is continuing a collaboration with Claremont School in Ossining to include student voices in the exhibition. The theme for the project is “Shake It Up!” prompting student engagement and expression through questions such as “Why are you here? What makes you unique? How can YOU shake things up to make the world better?” Students will draw or paint, write a story, make a collage, sculpt or build, or perform an original piece of art in response to this theme. The student artwork will be displayed as part of the exhibition.
The exhibition is free and open to the public during gallery hours: Monday – Saturday 10am-4pm, as well as 30 minutes before other scheduled weeknight and weekend events at Bethany Arts Community. The exhibition is closed on Sundays.
Curator Walk & Talk Experiences of the exhibition will be led by curator Joyce Sharrock Cole. Walk & Talk Experiences are scheduled for Wednesday February 5 and Wednesday February 19 from 7-8:30pm. Tickets are $25 Adult, $15 Student/Senior. To inquire about booking a private group Walk & Talk Experience of the exhibit, email julias@bethanyarts.org.
Bethany Arts Community seeks sponsorships to continue the success of this engaging exhibition of Black History and Culture. Sponsorships offer a unique opportunity for our community, art lovers, businesses, and individuals to support. Businesses can have their brands prominently displayed in conjunction with the exhibit. BAC is a non-profit organization serving the lower Hudson Valley of New York State and beyond. Our goal is to provide a welcoming and supportive environment in which all artists and community members can learn, create, and flourish. All contributions are tax- deductible. Sponsorships will be taken on a rolling basis.
