Vanessa Johnson's Art Exhibition and Reception at

 IN THE CENTER OF THE CROSSROADS

Vanessa Johnson mounted a stunning fiber art "In the Center of the Crossroads" exhibition titled, "Standing in the Intersection Between Racism, Climate Change, and Memory" at ArtRage, the Norton Putter Gallery, from April 12 to May 24, 2025. Johnson's African American story is rooted in the land. "We cannot run from the painful memories embedded in this relationship but must embrace the Earth or lose ourselves. Mother Earth is the medium of our history and remembering that that history was born out of the land is linked to the survival of this planet," stated Johnson. She added, "Climate change, the extinction of the biodiversity of animals, the pollution of the land and water, the rising of the oceans, coupled with environmental racism – threatens our survival as a people. It is important to understand our community’s relationship with nature’s habitats, species, and the natural features as we move forward. The Center of The Crossroads speaks from the center of the crossroads where African and African American communities reach through time and space, confront memory and future, commune with the Ancestors and future generations in this race for survival on a dying planet. The exhibition tells the story of the African American historical relationship with Mother Earth and the challenges we face addressing Environmental Racism and Climate Justice."

The exhibition was made possible with a Tier Three Project Support grant from the County of Onondaga, with support from County Executive Ryan McMahon and the Onondaga County Legislature, administered by CNY Arts, including exhibit sponsors, season sponsors, and special benefactors.