Beginning Friday, March 5, through Sunday, May 2, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) will explore the community’s activism and energy during the Black Lives Matter movement through its We All Bleed exhibition, featuring photography by journalist and activist Richard Fusillo.
In response to the harrowing murder of George Floyd last May, protests in major cities garnered national media attention. However, it was the sustained actions in smaller communities like San Luis Obispo that made up the bulk of what is now recognized as the Black Lives Matter movement. Artist Richard Fusillo emerged as one of the local movement’s foremost photographers and eyewitnesses.
The exhibition will be available to view digitally at sloma.org/exhibition/we-all-bleed. We All Bleed is hosted in collaboration with R.A.C.E. Matters SLO.
“As a friend to many of the activists photographed in the exhibit and an activist himself, Richard documents the local movement as part of the community,” said Courtney Haile, co-founder of R.A.C.E. Matters SLO. “The inclusion of audio excerpts allows local activists to speak directly to their experiences protesting in San Luis Obispo.”
Fusillo’s images capture the energetic expressions of joy and celebration that occur in the midst of protest ignited by violence and injustice. His photographs frame crucial moments of both tension and triumph and serve as a testimony to what activism in small towns can look like when people take collective action.
“San Luis Obispo Museum of Art is proud to collaborate with R.A.C.E. Matters and share Richard’s important work, which centers and amplifies the experiences of people of color during this pivotal moment in our nation’s ongoing fight for racial equality,” said Leann Standish, executive director of SLOMA.
The audio recordings of activists will be available on the exhibition webpage. There will also be a full wall covered in a collage of protest signs.
Additionally, on April 24, SLOMA, R.A.C.E. Matters, and SLO Motion Film will be hosting a screening of SNCC, a film by photographer Danny Lyon. This event will also include a conversation between Lyon and Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors after the film. The film will be screened both in-person with proper COVID precautions and virtually for viewers at home. Tickets for this event will go on sale April 10 and in-person guests can sign up for a timed viewing of We All Bleed installed in the gallery. All ticket proceeds will go to R.A.C.E. Matters. Tickets to the screening can be purchased at slomotionfilm.com/events.
“In the summer of 2020 in our small town, brave young activists cried out for big change,” said Haile. “We honor their voices.”
About SLOMA
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art is located at 1010 Broad Street, on the west end of Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo, California. It is a 501(c)(3) public benefit nonprofit arts organization dedicated to providing and promoting diverse visual arts experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds through exhibitions, education, creation and collaboration. Since 1967 this organization has been the beacon for the visual arts in its region. More information can be found at www.sloma.org.
About Richard Fusillo
Richard Fusillo is an activist and artist who has become one of the foremost photographers and eyewitnesses covering San Luis Obispo’s Black Lives Matter movement. His photographs frame crucial moments of both tension and joy and serve as a testimony to what activism in small towns can look like when people take collective action. Fusillo’s work relies on his ongoing relationships with community leaders and his sustained presence at protests, rallies and gatherings. For more information visit www.fusillofoto.com.