Night and Day: Art and Social Justice On-Campus
By Sinead Quinn
Spanning the East and West Galleries and the Frey Theater is Night and Day: Murals, Memory and Movement, an exhibition immortalizing political memory through preserving plywood murals from the Minneapolis Uprising of 2020. “Night” and “day” express the duality of grief, joy, loss, triumph and other dichotomies represented that summer. The exhibition was curated by Memorialize the Movement, a Minneapolis-based organization that describes itself as a “living archive” dedicated to “preserving and activating” the aforementioned murals.
This is not St. Kate’s first collaboration with the non-profit. Last spring, MTM presented The Plywood Quilt at The Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, a tapestry of panels created by individuals across the Twin Cities during three years' worth of MTM-organized Paint to Express workshops. These workshops were dedicated spaces for BIPOC expression and creativity. What initially drew St. Kate’s and MTM together was “alignment in [their mutual] commitment to truthtelling, critical thinking and personal reflection,” said gallery director Nicole Watson.
In accordance with the Sisters of St. Joseph’s commitment to serving “the dear neighbor without distinction,” St. Kate’s advocates for social justice. The Gallery’s collaborations with MTM represent a larger university commitment to antiracist learning. Watson said, “Viewing artwork is another way of knowing, learning and understanding about ourselves and one another [...] Night and Day implores us to consider our positionality and role in this history, and I hope it inspires viewers to take action for a future where all communities can thrive.” The exhibition also demonstrates the university’s ability to grow as an antiracist institution. Watson added that “Night and Day celebrates MTM’s work as curators and conservators, and intends to expand on the community-building and education that began with The Plywood Quilt.”
As part of the exhibition, a Paint to Express workshop will be hosted during the St. Kate’s One Read for Racial Justice Book Discussion on Nov. 1 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. All are welcome to join and discuss The Message by author, journalist and activist Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Other related programming include a panel discussion with the artists on Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall and a Film Screening and Talk Back on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Gallery lecture hall. The exhibition will be on view through Nov. 16, 2025, at the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery and the Frey Theater
