We the People: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow exhibition February 2 through April 16, 2023
The Ontario Museum of History & Art and guest curators Riea Owens and Dr. Patricia Jessup-Woodlin invite you to our upcoming exhibition, We the People: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, running from Thursday, February 2, to Sunday, April 16, 2023. The Preamble states, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” From an open call, 61 artists were selected and will be on view in three of the Museum’s galleries. The artworks on view question and interpret the Preamble’s complexities and contradictions.
We the People: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow brought an overwhelming number of excellent submissions that made the selection process challenging for the guest curators. The artworks will move the audience through a multitude of emotions as they consider such wide ranging topics as the racial divide, social injustice, voter suppression, environmental concerns, women’s rights, immigration reform, and more.
This is an excellent opportunity for the museum audience to view a vast diversity of art and artists representative of We the People, said guest curator Dr. Patricia Jessup-Woodlin. This exhibit combines diverse artistic approaches, including site-specific installations, multimedia works, and traditional media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, and collage, to challenge and engage the viewer on these political issues. Through the power of art, the exhibition hopes to inspire empathy, understanding, and a sense of shared purpose among its audience as we work together to create a more just and equitable society for all. The community is invited to the artist reception on Saturday, February 18, from 6 PM to 9 PM. Also, join us for a moderated conversation on March 4, 2023, from 2 PM to 4 PM, with guest curators Riea Owens and Dr. Patricia Jessup-Woodlin, and artists featured in We the People. The discussion will focus on artistic practices and perspectives about the Preamble’s phrase “We the People.” The Museum’s programs are held on-site and are free to the public. For more information, visit OntarioMuseum.org or call (909) 395-2510.
Participating Artists
Allyson Allen, Bill Anderson, A.S. Ashley, Christen Austin, Donna Bates, Jean Brantley, Gloria Cassidy, A.G. Castaneda, John Chang, Mary Chen Elias, Mary Cheung, Rosy Cortez, Liz Covington, Jessica Cruz, Rick Cummings, Deserai Davis, Otha “Vakseen” Davis III, Mellyssa Diggs, Pam Douglas, Vivian Dominguez-Mencia, George Evans, Karen Fiorito, Kathi Fox, Stefanie Girard, Stephanie Godoy, Sophia Green, T. Faye Griffin, Beihua Guo, Diana Elizabeth Hernandez, Jessus Hernandez, Linda Kaye, Won Sil Kim, Leah Knecht, Chad La Fever, Eileen Oda Leaf, Rose Loya, Julian Lucas, Cindy Macias, Victoria Naser-Saravia, Riea Owens, Ann Phong, Mike Pitzer, Theresa Polley-Shellcroft, Hannah Raykhenberg, Humberto Reynoso, Natalie Rios, Phillip Risby, Bart Ross, LP Ækili Ross, Shira Seny, Amy Smith, S.A. Smith, Linda Ternoir, Sharon Terry, Lisa Tomczeszyn, Maryam Crogman, Kat Trevino, Ricardo Tomasz, Jerry Weems, Christopher J. Wesley, Dr. Patricia Jessup-Woodlin.
About the Ontario Museum of History & Art
The Ontario Museum of History & Art is located at 225 S. Euclid Avenue, Ontario, California 91762. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday, Noon to 4 PM, and Saturday through Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free. For more information call (909) 395-2510, email at MuseumInfo@ontarioCA.gov, or visit www.OntarioMuseum.org. The Ontario Museum of History & Art is a public-private museum operated by the City of Ontario with support from the non-profit Ontario Museum of History & Art, Associates.
About the City of Ontario
The City of Ontario is enhancing the quality-of-life by creating urban lifestyle districts that create sustainable places to live, work and play. Located just east of Los Angeles and Orange counties, the City of Ontario is ideally situated as a gateway to Southern California. With major freeways, rail transportation and an International Airport, Ontario invites the rest of the world to be a part of a culturally diverse community with rich history that is well positioned for quality development and economic sustainability for its residents. Complementing its business and residential core, Ontario offers premium entertainment venues such as the Ontario Convention Center, Toyota Arena, and Ontario Mills. To learn more about the City of Ontario, visit OntarioCA.gov or call (909) 395-2000.
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