April 18, 2025
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), in collaboration with MOSAIC, will present
“Reclaiming Revolution: Intersections of Remembrance and Resistance,” a group exhibition
that explores the role of art in social change. Curated by Max Fyfe, J.C. Innocent,
Mannie McBride, Cleo Murphy, and Enaya A. Ogletree, the exhibition features senior
capstone work that addresses themes of heritage, grief, identity, sustainability,
and transformation.
An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gallery 51
as part of North Adams First Friday’s. Opening remarks and artist reflections will
begin at 5:45 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
Through sculpture, animation, bookmaking, and painting, Reclaiming Revolution invites
viewers into a conversation about how art can be a form of resistance, a tool for
remembrance, and a path toward imagining a more just future.
“We are all talking about change and growth in social justice,” said Mannie McBride.
“My work is about the people and music that have helped shape who I am.” That deeply
personal connection to subject matter is echoed across the exhibition.
Cleo Murphy shared that her series grapples with grief as a path to healing. “While
making this art is difficult and brings back painful memories, it is also essential
to me,” Murphy said. “My goal for this series is to channel my grief into a healthy
outlet, experience my raw emotions, and gain a type of healing therapy.”
Enaya Ogletree uses her work to “create a space for reflection and commentary on the
history of cultural complacency around sexism and the objectification of women.” Her
triptych urges audiences to “look into the mirror that [she] is holding up to society.”
“My work is connected to everyone's with this idea of creating a dialog for change,”
Max Fyfe said, with his work highlighting the understanding that “The world will only
take care of us if we take care of it.”
J.C. Innocent said his work is inspired by “Afrofuturism, not as escapism, but as
a way to reclaim Black narratives and imagine a liberated future.” He sees his artwork
as “a battleground for consciousness,” that’s shouting out to us, “Will you wake up?”
For more information about “Reclaiming Revolution: Intersections of Remembrance and
Resistance,” contact Professor Melanie Mowinski at (413) 622-5264. For details regarding
MOSAIC Gallery 51, visit the MOSAIC website, or contact Sarah Hobin, Assistant Director
of MOSAIC, at sarah.hobin@mcla.edu.
The exhibition runs through May 17.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed
to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered
to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to
public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top Ten Public Colleges for
10 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts
Schools in the nation for 2025, after earning the No. 7 spot the prior three years.
The College’s focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in
additional 2025 U.S. News rankings: No. 5 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for
liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 2 for Top Performer on Social Mobility
for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools
graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
