"Diversity makes all of us stronger": Camille Beckles on Black History Month
Camille Beckles reflects on the importance of fighting back against erasure and standing firmly for diversity.
Clay Art Center is celebrating Black History Month by featuring New York based artist Camille Beckles, whose collection of beautiful, functional ceramics offer both comfort and surprise during the course of daily routine. Outside of her studio practice, Beckles is a member of Kaabo Clay, a virtual collective that connects Black ceramic artists to help them decrease experiences of racial isolation and claim their heritage and influence as African descended people within the field of ceramics. Beckles was also one of 17 ceramicists commissioned by ceramic artist Nekisha Durrett in 2023 to work on a large-scale, permanent public artwork in Arlington, VA called Queen City. The project memorializes and engages with the history of the thriving Black neighborhood that was razed for the construction of the Pentagon in 1941. For Beckles, her artistic work is part of a long and enduring legacy of Black ceramicists in this country.
When asked to reflect on her work and Black History Month, Beckles shared this statement: “At a time when DEI is being targeted and stifled by our government, I think it is important that organizations like the Clay Art Center continue to stand up for and value the contributions of diverse artists. For this reason, and many more, I am proud to be featured as Clay Art Center's Artist of the Month for February. The term "DEI" has recently been misappropriated and weaponized, resulting in a harmful redaction of important initiatives that lift up groups of people who have been historically marginalized. But history shows us that trying to ignore or repress a group of people does not silence them or keep them from existing. Rather, it has the opposite effect: it makes people rise up and fight back against erasure. During this Black History Month, it feels more important than ever to resist institutionalized systems of harm and to stand firm in the conviction that diversity makes all of us stronger. I am proud to contribute my pottery for Clay Art Center's February feature as an example not only of what I believe is a strong body of artistic work, but as a contribution to the long and diverse legacy of Black ceramicists in America.”
Clay Art Center is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive space that serves our whole community. The arts can play a significant role in social change, and we are proud to feature and lift up artists who are working against erasure and towards a brighter future. Learn more about Clay Art Center’s Anti-Racist Agenda on our website.
Interested in learning more? Visit our Virtual Library to hear more from Black artists including Lydia Thompson, Earlene Cox, Rich Brown, Vinnie Bagwell, Donté Hayes, and Sana Musasama.