Albina Queens returns as a pop-up image-making event on August 8, registration opens July 1.
Albina Queens presented by Imagine Black returns as a pop-up image-making event that celebrates Black femininity in its many forms. The award-winning community-based photo project returns on August 8, registration opens July 1. Black femmes can register to participate at: www.imagineblack.org/albinaqueens.
Black femininity exists as a continuum and the Albina Queens photo project aims to include trans women, non-binary femmes, youth, elderly, disabled folks, sex workers, and non-English speaking Black folks. Imagine Black sees the beauty and power of Black people in this spectrum. Making images of community acts as a record and an archive of our existence-- past, present, and future.
“So rarely do we see Black femmes centered in contemporary art in a way that aims to reclaim or disrupt traditional constructs of Black femininity. This project captures and marks an occasion where Black women and femme-people are seen, counted, valued, and loved,” said Kristina Mucker, Operations Manager at Imagine Black and Albina Queens project lead.
At its core, Albina Queens is a love letter to the historically Black neighborhoods in North and Northeast Portland and the Black femmes who make those spaces what they are. The Albina neighborhood was home to the majority of the city’s African American population in the 20th century. Redlining and discriminatory city planning disrupted and displaced much of the Black community in North and Northeast Portland. Albina Queens takes the form of art-based advocacy in the fight towards Black liberation.
“Black creativity is a part of world-building and abolitionist work. Artists are central to Black liberation and capturing moments of joy, strife and celebration are part of world-making. This project begs the question, what would it be like for one day for black femmes to be held and honored?” said Joy Alise Davis, Executive Director at Imagine Black.
Black femme artists involved in Albina Queens:
Sharita Towne & The Black Arts Ecology of Portland
At the timed-entry and socially distanced event, Black women and femmes will be invited to have a series of portraits taken to celebrate their crown. To honor the roots of Albina Queens, where all Black femmes were adorned with headwraps for their portraits, will digitally place a crown (of your choosing) created by a Black femme artist on your portrait. This image will be included in our Spring 2022 Albina Queens Exhibition.
About Imagine Black
Imagine Black helps Portland’s Black community imagine the alternatives we deserve, builds our political participation and supports leadership to achieve those alternatives. Imagine Black is a Black-led 501c(4) in Oregon building Black political power through organizing, leadership, and action during and outside of elections. Imagine Black’s vision is by defunding the police it will help increase funding for restorative justice councils. The non-profit also believes that parents and students must hold the School Board leaders accountable: that means calling, writing emails and letters to the editor, attending meetings, and speaking out consistently when they make decisions we do not agree with.