Picturing Black Girlhood: Moments of Possibility, is an exhibition exploring the concept of Black girlhood through the work of more than 85 Black women, girls, and genderqueer artists working in photography and film. On view from February 17 through July 2, 2022, at Express Newark in downtown Newark, Picturing Black Girlhood is co-curated by photographers and activists Scheherazade Tillet and Zoraida Lopez-Diago.

Bringing together iconic image-makers, emerging artists, and young photographers (the artists range in age from 8 to 94, and over half of them are under the age of 18), Picturing Black Girlhood restages intimate Black girl coming-of-age narratives made through the reifying the lens of Black women and genderqueer artists and the real-time experiences and perspectives of Black girls themselves.

Picturing Black Girlhood: Moments of Possibility is organized by Scheherazade Tillet, a photographer, art therapist, and the executive director of A Long Walk Home, a non-profit that empowers young people to use art to end violence against girls and women. Zoraida Lopez-Diago, a photographer, an environmental justice activist at Scenic Hudson Inc. and as the co-creator of Women Picturing Revolution, the co-editor of the book, “Black Matrilineage, Photography and Representation: Another Way of Knowing. 

Alliyah Allen is the assistant curator. Anonda Bell is the Director of the Paul Robeson Galleries. Kristen Owen is the Curator of Programming. Jazmine McLaurin is Gallery Assistant. Marcus Jamison is the curator-in-residence at Express Newark. 

Generous support for this exhibition is provided by Rutgers University – Newark, the Ford Foundation, New Arts Justice, Shine Portrait Studio, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice, Paul Robeson Galleries, and Duggal Visual Solutions. 

A virtual exhibition, and a published catalog, have been made possible by the Black Girl Freedom Fund, Grantmakers for Girls of Color, and HarbourView Foundation. 

COVID In accordance with Rutgers University and State of New Jersey guidelines, visitors 12 years and older must be vaccinated against Covid-19, and visitors two years and older must wear a mask. Photo ID and proof of vaccination or negative PCR test from a test taken no more than 72 hours before the event must be presented when entering an event. This applies to all populations: students, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors. 

Visitor Information Express Newark is located at 54 Halsey Street in downtown Newark, NJ. 

Exhibition Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 12-5 pm, Thursday 12-8 pm, Saturday 12-5 pm. 

Admission is free.