MADE VISIBLE: A Lion SPEAKS
INSPIRED BY THE AFRICAN PROVERB “UNTIL THE LION LEARNS HOW TO WRITE - EVERY STORY WILL GLORIFY THE HUNTER,“ - A LION SPEAKS EXEMPLIFIES THE POWER OF OWNING YOUR PERSONAL NARRATIVE.
“Made Visible 2026: A Lion Speaks,” Creative Arts’ annual Black History Month exhibition, celebrates its eighth year, continuing their commitment to “amplifying underrepresented voices through the visual arts.”
Running from February 1st to March 13th the exhibition houses a collection of 25 local and regional artists, celebrating the contributors and their stories.
Dedicated to fostering growth through artistry, Creative Arts Workshop was born out of the desire to support individuals in their exploration and expression of self.
Located at 80 Audubon, CAW offers more than 400 visual arts workshops and a bustling calendar of public programming throughout the year. Open to students of all ages and levels of experience, the nonprofit has been a major contributor to the arts in New Haven since their founding in 1961.
Shaunda Holloway, a New Haven native artist, writer, and educator, curated the exhibit with the express purpose of amplifying the voices of contributors - empowering them to tell their own story.
The exhibit gave insight into the black experience without centering the white gaze - this is for us by us. The artists left no stone unturned - discussing everything from hair and its impact on our perception, to family dynamics spanning generations.
Holloway emphasizes the importance of narrative control and preserving one’s own stories despite the systemic erasure we experience.
The show offers pieces in all media, from sculpture to video, exploring the many ways an artist can conceptualize their story.
Located in Susan B. Hille's two-floor gallery space, “A Lion Speaks” is visible from the street. The building's eye-catching window display invites curious onlookers into the minds of the artists and the world of Creative Arts.
