Voices of the Soul of Black Folks

Hamilton, OH – The Fitton Center hosts a free community celebration highlighting The Soul of Black Folks: 250 Years of Creativity, Innovation and Leadership exhibition curated by Carolyn L. Mazloomi of West Chester.

In partnership with the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, the Fitton Center presents Voices of the Soul of Black Folks from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 29. 

The Voices… event includes gallery tours, a luncheon, artist talks, poetry readings, dance, music and a quilting workshop conducted by Learning Through Art, Inc. Guests may attend any or all of the celebration as their schedules allow. No tickets or reservations required.

“Our Quilt Conversations provide space for people to share their unique stories, culture, and lived experiences, the things that make up the fabric of who we are,” said Ebony Brock, Executive Director at Booker T. Washington Community Center and Community Quilt Facilitator for Learning Through Art.

“We’ve been doing these conversations for about five years. Because our first Hamilton conversation happened at the Fitton Center, we’re really happy to bring it back with Learning Through Art. We want families to bring their children and join us as we weave together the stories that make us who we are, while also learning through The Souls of Black Folk exhibit. It’s going to be a meaningful and fun experience, and we hope the community will join us on August 29.”

The schedule for the Voices… event follows: 12:30 p.m. – Galleries open (First- and second-floor galleries) 1-2pm – Community luncheon (Ballroom, third floor) 2-2:30 p.m. – Gallery viewing (First- and second-floor galleries) 2:30-3:45 p.m. - Welcome and poetry-reading event (Second-floor galleries) 4-5 p.m. - Story quilt workshop (Ballroom, third floor)

The Soul of Black Folks exhibition is part of Handwork 2026, presented by Craft in America. The City of Hamilton sponsors the Fitton Center exhibition series, with Neil and Honi Cohen as supporting sponsors, Penny Brooks as exhibition sponsor and running in partnership with YWCA Hamilton.

“The quilt art exhibition honors the voices, vision, and victories of Black history figures whose contributions transformed our nation and our communities,” said Wendy L. Waters-Connell, CEO of YWCA Hamilton. “We are honored to be supporting this show and its message of hope and resilience.

“Together with YWCA Hamilton's legacy of advocacy and empowerment, the Women of Color Quilters’ art manifests stories which remind us that when threads are woven together, they create something stronger, more beautiful, and lasting.”

On August 14, more than 1,000 people attended the Fitton Center’s 2026-2027 Season Launch: An Evening of Wonder, which also served as the official opening celebration for the exhibition. More than 20 of the exhibiting artists were on hand for the event.

The Soul of Black Folks exhibition remains on view through September 12. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10-5 Friday. Fitton Center galleries are always FREE and open to the public.

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture