Opening Reception: Poetry Is Not a Luxury

The purposeful exhibition Poetry is Not a Luxury at the Minnesota Center takes its name from writer Audre Lorde’s 1977 essay on the intersections of creativity and activism that were not only essential to her own work, but also to a diverse group of feminist thinkers at the time. The contemporary show of 26 book artists debuted at the Center for Book Arts in New York in 2019 before traveling to the San Francisco Center for the Book in 2020, was assembled with works that reflect a sense of commitment and purpose, a light that guides viewers through narratives that are otherwise buried or ignored. All of the artworks included in this exhibition were created from a place of subjectivity, from lived experiences that are filtered through the creative process then articulated in forms that invite the viewer to partake in what Lorde called “revolutionary awareness.” Meet curator Maymanah Farhat and hear from local exhibiting artists, who will give brief remarks at 7PM. FRI, 6-9 PM. Free