Two women taking a selfie in front of a vibrant green landscape painting in an art gallery.

VISUal voices

Art by and for the community

Visual Voices

Visual Voices is a multi-year curatorial initiative, led by a cohort of five emerging and mid-career curators. Visual Voices curators receive fiscal, strategic, and institutional support to propose and mount exhibitions in JCAL’s galleries and partner spaces that explore themes reflective of the BIIPOC experience in Queens and, more broadly, in New York City.

The curators identify, cultivate, and elevate emerging BIIPOC talent, and produce artist talks, workshops, and demonstrations. Visual Voices reflects JCAL’s conviction that a diverse community isn’t defined top-down by a cultural institution, but rather by giving agency and power to a community to define itself.

Visual Voices debut exhibit Free Your Mind, curated by Shenna Vaughn, was named one of the “10 Art Shows to See in New York Right Now” by Hyperallergic.

  • I love art that comes from the streets, from the people who live the experience and are brave enough to stand in its truth.

    Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench

upcoming events

Our initiaves

Beyond Familiar

Now Through September 23

Conceived and curated by Wanda Best, Beyond Familiar reimagines pop art as a bold language for truth-telling, social critique, and healing.

Shifting Seasons

October 17-November 28

Curated by Alex Z., Shifting Seasons invites artists to explore the transitions in their life, their environment, or their creative process. Just like fall, it’s about letting go, embracing change, and finding beauty in what’s in-between.

Kro-Matic

October 3-December 5

Red Wall Arts Gallery / Resorts World NYC

Curated by Adrian Bermeo, Kro-matic brings together 15 New York-based artists to showcase a spectrum of monochromatic works, each exploring the emotional and aesthetic possibilities of a single color.

GET INVOLVED

 Expect fresh perspectives and unforgettable art at Visual Voices exhibitions year-round. Follow us on social media to get a sneak peek into the curation and special events for these special exhibitions.