The Penticton Art Gallery is arranging a series of special events for the closing of the “eRacism” exhibition currently on in the main gallery.
Curator Paul Crawford is trying to create a “human library” of people that have experienced racism or other forms of prejudice, making themselves available to talk and answer questions from the visitors.
“I hope we get a lot of buy-in from people wanting to take part in it and participate on both ends of it,” said Crawford, adding that he is hoping to have 15 to 20 “human books” that visitors can “check out for five minutes and ask all those awkward questions of.”
“I am hoping everyone will come with an open mind, be respectful and ask those questions they’ve always wanted to know,” said Crawford. “What I am really hoping is that we will find out we are more common than we are different.”
Crawford said he already has some people with physical handicaps that have volunteered to join the human library and wants to include anyone that has suffered prejudice.
“You can come in and ask those questions, find out that story, and actually realize there are human beings behind that wheelchair or behind that colour skin,” said Crawford, who is also working with the South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services to involve some of their clients.
The gallery is looking for volunteers, Crawford explained, to share their stories and be open to any and all awkward questions the public may have. Each participant will be introduced at the beginning of the event and for ten consecutive five-minute sessions the public will be invited to circulate and engage each “book” in a dialogue designed to help break down and clear up any cultural stereotypes.
“Of each participant, we ask for respect, dignity and an open mind and heart,” wrote Crawford in his request.
The event takes place on Sept. 15 from 2:45 to 4 p.m., following the Artist Roundtable, which starts at 1 p.m.
The eRacism show, and it’s companion exhibition, “Keep Penticton White: a historical view,” are on at the gallery now, closing Sunday, Sept. 16 at 4 p.m.
Steve Kidd
Senior reporter, Penticton Western News
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